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Posted by: Martyn 25th July 2015, 03:13 PM

So the draw for all the nations apart from Asia (which is already taking place), today. The Europe draw starts a 1727BST, with England and Wales (yes really) in the top seed pots. England, Germany, Italy, France and The Netherlands (I think) are all going to be in groups of 6 for Television purposes.

Posted by: Dobbo 25th July 2015, 05:00 PM

England in Group F with Slovakia, Scotland, Slovenia, Lithuania & Malta.

I swear we're magnetic to Slovenia (is this the 3rd qualifying stage in a row we've been draw with them, along with the 2010 WC Group Stage) match with Scotland will be tasty but otherwise should be no concerns in winning that group.

Posted by: Ryan. 25th July 2015, 05:08 PM

Overjoyed to see Eurovision's Polina performing the finale of the draw there, loved seeing 'A Million Voices' performed with a massive choir!

Really interesting group for England, with Scotland and Malta in there!

Posted by: Rooney 25th July 2015, 05:11 PM

Should be winning it of course, but the Scotland rivalry makes the game so much harder, and Slovakia are no mugs at all.

Quite difficult.

Posted by: Mart!n 25th July 2015, 05:15 PM

OMG England have Malta in their group, I'm half Maltese, as far as I'm aware England have only played once against Malta and that was a friendly match.

England should win that group quite easily, with Scotland runners up methinks unless Slovakia or Slovenia sneak in, Slovakia do have a good team actually obviously Malta will finish last in that group unfortunately.

Posted by: Gage 25th July 2015, 06:12 PM

It's "quite difficult" but if we don't win this group then it's going to be embarrassing. There's nothing like CONSTANTLY getting easy/easyish groups and everyone suddenly thinking we're world beaters.

Posted by: Mack 25th July 2015, 08:01 PM

Yes Scotland and Slovakia will be tricky but unlike the challenge of this which would have interesting:

England
France
Sweden
Turkey
Azerbaijan
Georgia

Posted by: Iz~ 25th July 2015, 08:28 PM

Scotland! That'll be an interesting couple of matches. Slovakia will be quite hard actually, not the easiest group but looking at the rest I can't pick out one huge one that looks very easy. Even Wales' group has a few decent teams.

Gonna lose myself in looking at the new African and North American matchups, don't mind me. I like this sort of stuff.

Posted by: Martyn 25th July 2015, 08:46 PM

Group A looks very difficult.

Posted by: *Tim 25th July 2015, 08:54 PM

Jesus lord at the Dutch group (A)

Posted by: ML Hammer95 25th July 2015, 09:42 PM

I think Group I looks quite interesting. A group of Croatia, Iceland, Ukraine, Turkey & Finland sees five evenly matched teams. They could almost finish in any order.

England get another easy draw and Wales have done decently. Can't see the Northern Irish getting through. France should have the edge on a transitional Holland and Spain will probably narrowly get past Italy, although a lot of football will be played between now and then.

Posted by: LeeWallace 26th July 2015, 12:16 AM

Scotland are always provided with one of the most difficult groups but we should overcome Slovakia and Slovenia. The England game will be incredibly interesting and it wouldn't surprise me if we defeated you at Hampden.

Posted by: Mack 26th July 2015, 02:54 PM

If the final match of the qualifying campaign was between England and Scotland. It could be very intriguing to watch. I'm glad we've got Scotland in our group.

Here's a look at the groups:

Group A

Netherlands, France, Sweden, Bulgaria, Belarus, Luxembourg

Group B

Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Andorra

Group C

Germany, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Norway, Azerbaijan, San Marino

Group D

Wales , Austria, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Moldova, Georgia

Group E

Romania, Denmark, Poland, Montenegro, Armenia, Kazakhstan

Group F

England, Slovakia, Scotland, Slovenia, Lithuania, Malta

Group G

Spain, Italy, Albania, Israel, FYR Macedonia, Liechtenstein

Group H

Belgium, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus

Group I

Croatia, Iceland, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland


Looking at the groups. Sweden will definitely put a fight for Netherlands and France in Group A. Could very close between those three.

In Group B. Should be between Portugal & Switzerland for the top two.

C

Germany should ease through that group. It will be all about the second place spot between Czech Republic and possibly Norway and Northern Ireland although it will most likely be Czech Republic going through to the play-offs.

D:

This where Wales have to show why they were picked as the first seeds in a group. I can definitely see Austria, Serbia and Rep of Ireland challenging for those two spots with Wales.

E:

A intriguing group which could be between five teams depending how they do with Romania, Denmark, Poland, Montenegro and possibly Armenia. I think will be Denmark and Poland in that order.

F:
Should be no trouble for England. Only a group England could mess up.

G:

It will be all about the first spot between Spain and Italy also who will be the victor when these two meet.

H:

Could be between three teams but I can see Belgium winning that group with Greece/Bosnia battling for the second spot.

I:

Can't call this one. Any of four could qualify although don't rule out Finland possibly.

Posted by: Mack 27th July 2015, 12:35 PM

England Fixtures:

2016:
Sept 4: Slovakia (A)
Oct 8: Malta (H)
Oct 11: Slovenia (A)
Nov 11: Scotland (H)


2017:
Mar 26 Lithuania (H)
Jun 10: Scotland (A)
Sept 1: Malta (A)
Sept 4: Slovakia (H)
Oct 5: Slovenia (H)
Oct 8: Lithuania (A)


Scotland Fixtures:

2016:
Sept 4: Malta (A)
Oct 8: Lithuania (H)
Ovt 11: Slovakia (A)
Nov 11: England (A)

2017:
Mar 26: Slovenia (H)
Jun 10: England (H)
Sept 1: Lithuania (A)
Sept 4: Malta (H)
Oct 5: Slovakia (H)
Oct 8: Slovenia (A)




Northern Ireland Fixtures:

2016:
Sept 4: Czech Republic (A)
Oct 8: San Marino (H)
Oct 11: Germany (A)
Nov 11: Azerbaijan (H)

2017:
Mar 26: Norway (H)
Jun 10: Azerbaijan (A)
Sept 1: San Marino (A)
Sept 4: Czech Republic (H)
Oct 5: Germany (H)
Oct 8: Norway (A)


Wales Fixtures:

2016:
Sept 5: Moldova (H)
Oct 6: Austria (A)
Oct 9: Georgia (H)
Nov 12: Serbia (H)

2017:
Mar 24: Rep of Ireland (A)
Jun 11: Serbia (A)
Sept 2: Austria (H)
Sept 5: Moldova (A)
Oct 6: Georgia (A)
Oct 9: Rep of Ireland (H)

Republic of Ireland Fixtures:

2016:
Sept 5: Serbia (A)
Oct 6: Georgia (H)
Oct 9: Moldova (A)
Nov 12: Austria (A)

2017:
Mar 24: Wales (H)
Jun 11: Austria (H)
Sept 2: Georgia (A)
Sept 5: Serbia (H)
Oct 6: Moldova (H)
Oct 9: Wales (A)

Posted by: LeeWallace 27th July 2015, 02:35 PM

Very good fixture list for Scotland!

Posted by: steve201 28th July 2015, 07:41 PM

Wales coming out as the pot 1 side in Ireland's group really turned things on its head after the tough Austrians and Serbia. Austria could be favs IMO!

Posted by: Mack 6th August 2015, 03:31 PM

Wales have somehow moved up one place to 9th in the latest FIFA World Rankings. They are now above the Netherlands who dropped down to 12th. England have also climbed up to 8th.

Here's a look at the Top20:

1st Argentina
2nd Belgium
3rd Germany
4th Colombia
5th Brazil
6th Portugal
7th Romania
8th England
9th Wales
10th Chile
11th Spain
12th Netherlands
13th Croatia
14th Slovakia
15th Austria
16th Italy
17th Switzerland
18th Uruguay
19th Algeria
20th Czech Republic

Posted by: Dobbo 6th August 2015, 06:38 PM

Crying at the fact Romania Vs Wales is a top ten clash now but Netherlands Vs Spain isn't