The Big Matches in the Last Round of World Cup Qualifying - Europe - October 15th, 2013

There is one more round of World Cup qualifiers left and several deciding games are taking place on Tuesday, October 15th, 2013 across the European continent. Here we will highlight the important ones:

Group B
Bulgaria vs. Czech Republic
Denmark vs. Malta

Bulgaria and Denmark need to win on Tuesday to have an off chance to qualify for one of the eight playoff spots. The truth is that the second place team from Group B needs a minor miracle to happen in Group D or E in order to qualify.

Group D
Turkey vs. Netherlands
Romania vs. Estonia
Hungary vs. Andorra

Turkey will hope to get all three points vs. Netherlands, who are undefeated so far in the competition. If Turkey can manage a win, they will clinch a playoff spot, unless Romania beats Estonia by 5-0 or something, in which case Romania would finish second. If both Turkey and Romania stumble, Hungary could rise to second with a win over Andorra.

Group E
Norway vs. Iceland
Switzerland vs. Slovenia

Iceland are one point ahead of Slovenia and will need to beat Norway away to qualify. Only in case that Slovenia draw with Switzerland and Iceland lose to Norway, there is a chance that one of these two teams will not advance to the playoffs. The strange thing is that if both Slovenia and Iceland lose, Iceland would be guaranteed a playoff spot.

Group F
Azerbaijan vs. Russia
Portugal vs. Luxembourg

Russia need a draw or a win to qualify directly to the World Cup. In case Russia lose and Portugal beat Luxembourg by 7-0 or more, then Portugal would qualify directly. Whoever finishes second is going to the playoffs.

Group G
Lithuania vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina
Greece vs. Liechtenstein

If Bosnia-Herzegovina can manage a win in Lithuania, they would qualify directly to the World Cup and Greece would head to the playoffs. Bosnia-Herzegovina and Greece have the same number of points, but Bosnia have a better goal differential by 17 goals. Whoever finishes second is going to the playoffs for sure.

Group H
England vs. Poland
San Marino vs. Ukraine

If England can beat Poland, they will qualify directly for Brazil. Ukraine is one point behind England and they will most certainly beat San Marino. Whoever finishes second is going to the playoffs.

Group I
Spain vs. Georgia
France vs. Finland

If Spain win or draw against Georgia, they are through to the World Cup. The second place team has a guaranteed spot in the playoffs.

Looking forward to Tuesday!