With just a handful of games remaining in the European Championship qualifiers both England and Scotland stand on the verge of booking their flights for Austria and Switzerland.
On the back of three consecutive 3-0 victories Steve McLaren's England are looking in good shape to qualify.
On Wednesday they face Russia in Moscow knowing that a win would ensure they make the competition.
England will be without Ashley Cole and John Terry for the clash of the giants, a game which Russia need to win if they are to finish in the top two.
Elsewhere Scotland without four first choice players travel to Tbilisi in a game they simply must win if they're to send shockwaves across the continent and deprive either current World Champions Italy or former World Champions France a place at the finals.
Scott Brown, Lee McCulloch, Paul Hartley and Garry O' Connor are all missing for the trip to Georgia.
After beating the Ukraine 3-1 at home last Saturday the Scots will be aiming to take all three points here. If they manage that then a draw at home in the last game of the group to Italy would be enough to send Alex McLeish's side through and start one hell of a tartan party!
By Graham Clifford
On the back of three consecutive 3-0 victories Steve McLaren's England are looking in good shape to qualify.
On Wednesday they face Russia in Moscow knowing that a win would ensure they make the competition.
England will be without Ashley Cole and John Terry for the clash of the giants, a game which Russia need to win if they are to finish in the top two.
Elsewhere Scotland without four first choice players travel to Tbilisi in a game they simply must win if they're to send shockwaves across the continent and deprive either current World Champions Italy or former World Champions France a place at the finals.
Scott Brown, Lee McCulloch, Paul Hartley and Garry O' Connor are all missing for the trip to Georgia.
After beating the Ukraine 3-1 at home last Saturday the Scots will be aiming to take all three points here. If they manage that then a draw at home in the last game of the group to Italy would be enough to send Alex McLeish's side through and start one hell of a tartan party!
By Graham Clifford
