lol knew someone would blame Isak, poor fellow gets blamed for everything.

Must be a poor manager at the moment in all seriousness though!

Well he's just got the boot!

Sweden is a shell of its old self, it's sad. Kind of like a less extreme case of what has happened with Bulgaria, who are starting to fall into the 'bottom minnows in Europe' group. Remember when this country finished 4th in 1994 World Cup?

Iceland scored fives goals in their two home matches this week and have 1 point to show for it. shakes head

Should be an comfortable win for England play like FIFA on speed the first half and then bore us in the second half.

Latvia: Zviedris, Vapne, Jurkovskis, Cernomordijs, Balodis, Ciganiks, Varslavans, Veips, Zelenkovs, Gutkovskis, Ikaunieks.

Subs: Orols, Matrevics, Jagodinskis, Grabovskis, Daskevics, Savalnieks, Penkevics, Pulis, Tonisevs, Regza, Melniks, Saveljevs.

England: Pickford, Spence, Stones, Konsa, Lewis-Skelly, Anderson, Rice, Saka, Rogers, Gordon, Kane.

Subs: Dean Henderson, Trafford, Guehi, Jordan Henderson, Eze, Rashford, Burn, Gibbs-White, Bowen, O’Reilly, Loftus-Cheek.

As England's group games go this hasn’t been a thriller these last months.

Gordon! 1-0 England.

They giveth and they taketh away!

2 late Hungary goals take away from a good result for Ireland with a 1-0 win against Armenia!

Group E

Spain 4-0 Bulgaria

Turkey 4-1 Georgia

Group F

Portugal 2-2 Hungary

Republic of Ireland 1-0 Armenia

Group I

Estonia 1-1 Moldova

Italy 3-0 Israel

Group K

Andorra 1-3 Serbia

Latvia 0-5 England

Matchday 8 - Tables

Group A

1. Germany 4/6 (+5) 9

2. Slovakia 4/6 (+3) 9

3. Northern Ireland 4/6 (+1) 6

4. Luxembourg 4/6 (-9) 0

Group B

1. Switzerland 4/6 (+9) 10

2. Kosovo 4/6 (+1) 7

3. Slovenia 4/6 (-3) 3

4. Sweden 4/6 (-5) 1

Group C

1. Denmark 4/6 (+11) 10

2. Scotland 4/6 (+5) 10

3. Greece 4/6 (-3) 3

4. Belarus 4/6 (-13) 0

Group D

1. France 4/6 (+6) 10

2. Ukraine 4/6 (+1) 7

3. Iceland 4/6 (+2) 4

4. Azerbaijan 4/6 (-9) 1

Group E

1. Spain 4/6 (+15) 12

2. Turkey 4/6 (+3) 9

3. Georgia 4/6 (-3) 3

4. Bulgaria 4/6 (-15) 0

Group F

1. Portugal 4/6 (+7) 10

2. Hungary 4/6 (+1) 5

3. Republic of Ireland 4/6 (-1) 4

4. Armenia 4/6 (-7) 3

Group G

1. Netherlands 6/8 (+19) 16

2. Poland 6/8 (+6) 13

3. Finland 7/8 (-5) 10

4. Lithuania 7/8 (-5) 3

5. Malta 6/8 (-15) 2

Group H

1. Austria 6/8 (+16) 15

2. Bosnia & Herzegovina 6/8 (+8) 13

3. Romania 6/8 (+5) 10

4. Cyprus 7/8 (+2) 8

5. San Marino 7/8 (-31) 0

Group I

1. Norway 6/8 (+26) 18

2. Italy 6/8 (+10) 15

3. Israel 7/8 (-4) 9

4. Estonia 7/8 (-10) 4

5. Moldova 6/8 (-22) 1

Group J

1. Belgium 6/8 (+15) 14

2. North Macedonia 7/8 (+9) 13

3. Wales 6/8 (+3) 10

4. Kazakhstan 7/8 (-4) 7

5. Liechtenstein 6/8 (-23) 0

Group K

1. England 6/8 (+18) 18

2. Albania 6/8 (+3) 11

3. Serbia 6/8 (0) 10

4. Latvia 7/8 (-9) 5

5. Andorra 7/8 (-12) 1

Group L

1. Croatia 6/8 (+8) 16

2. Czech Republic 7/8 (+4) 13

3. Faroe Islands 7/8 (+4) 12

4. Montenegro 6/8 (-9) 6

5. Gibraltar 6/8 (-18) 0

After Matchday 8

Qualification:

Austria

Belgium

Croatia

Denmark

England

France

Germany

Netherlands

Norway

Portugal

Spain

Switzerland

Play-Offs (12 runners-up and 4 Nations League qualifiers):

Albania

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Czech Republic

Hungary

Italy

Kosovo

North Macedonia

Northern Ireland

Poland

Romania

Scotland

Slovakia

Sweden

Turkey

Ukraine

Wales

England become the first European side to book a ticket to the World Cup finals.

England: "Kings of qualifying" at it again, lol.

The only fun leader at the moment is Norway. The return match to Italy is going to be spicy.

England have found a good balance in midfield with the excellent Anderson alongside Rice, be interesting to see what Tuchel can do in the tournament but it’s in America so weather will come into it and England don’t do well in the heat.

18 hours ago, Steve201 said:

England have found a good balance in midfield with the excellent Anderson alongside Rice, be interesting to see what Tuchel can do in the tournament but it’s in America so weather will come into it and England don’t do well in the heat.

Assuming Trump doesn't actually move venues like he is threatening...

You'll be praying for these Groups in the draw, due to climate:

Group B - Canada and West Coast U.S.

Group D - West Coast U.S./Vancouver

Group G - West Coast U.S./Vancouver

You don't want:

Group A - Mexico/Atlanta

Group C - East Coast U.S.

Group E - East Coast U.S./Houston/Kansas City

Group F - Mexico/Texas/Kansas City

Group H - Mexico/Southeastern U.S.

Group I - Northeastern U.S./Toronto

Group J - Texas/Kansas City but also has a couple Santa Clara games which are good.

Group K - Southeastern U.S./Texas/Mexico

Group L - Texas/Northeast U.S. but also has Toronto

In summary:

You wants matches in Toronto/Vancouver Canada, Santa Clara/Inglewood/Seattle in the U.S.

You don't want Mexico City/Guadalajara/Monterrey in Mexico or Atlanta/Miami/NY/Phily/Boston/Kansas City/Houston/Dallas in the U.S. as these areas are very humid in the summer. West Coast is very pleasant year-round.

Lets re-assess the European groups after October's matches.

Group A

Germany 9. Slovakia 9, Northern Ireland 6

The first domino to fall will be the 11/14 match in Slovakia vs. Northern Ireland. I think the only way the Slovakia/Germany match on 11/18 becomes interesting as far winning the group, is if Slovakia wins this. Otherwise, goal differential will make that match meaningless even if Slovakia pulls off another upset. Playoffs though, that's still anybody's guess.

Group B

Switzerland 10, Kosovo 7, Slovenia 3

Kosovo has two relatively tough matches, home vs. the Swiss and at Slovenia. They need to get a W in either match to clinch 2nd place.

Group C

Denmark 10 (+11), Scotland 10 (+5)

Denmark has the far easier game on 11/15, hosting Belarus. Scotland needs to travel to the Athens. A draw there keeps them alive, but a loss all but ends things because of goal differential, assuming Denmark takes care of business. Then it would all come down to a 11/18 showdown in Glasgow, one of the biggest matches in Scottish football history.

Group D

France 10. Ukraine 7. Iceland 4

Ukraine does travel to France on 11/13, so I guess it's still possible for France to bottle this. Highly unlikely. That will probably go to the French, with Iceland probably hopefully winning in Azerbaijan, so the 11/16 match between Iceland/Ukraine would decide 2nd place.

Group E

Spain 12, Turkey 9

The only scenario where this isn't your final standing, is if Spain were to drop points in Georgia on 11/15. Turkey beats Bulgari at home, setting up a chance for the Turks to return the favor on 11/18 for their 0-6 meltdown at home in September. yeah, I didn't think so either.

Group F

Portugal 10, Hungary 5, Ireland 4, Armenia 3

One of the few groups where 2nd place is still in play for everyone. Well, not really, the only place Portugal is finishing is 1st. Armenia would really have to get a result in Portugal to even stand a chance, after beating Hungary at home. There are many ways for either Ireland or Hungary to be 2nd, but it will really come down to the 11/16 tilt in Budapest.

Group G

Netherlands 16, Poland 13

Poland could win an amazing game on 11/14 at home, smashing Netherlands 4-0 and still be down 5 goals on goal differential. Then both teams would have an easy three points on 11/17 where Poland would have to make up the rest of the differential then. What you see above will 99% be the final standing.

Group H

Austria 15, Bosnia 13, Romania 10

Bosnia hosts Romania on 11/15. The winner there would be the driver's seat for 2nd place. If Bosnia wins, they then travel to Austria on 11/18 with a chance to win the group (by winning).

Group I

Norway 18, Italy 15

Everyone's favorite outsider group-leader. For my money, nobody in the world can say they are playing better than Norway is right now. Their 29-to-3 goal differential dwarves Italy's. Italy beat Moldova at home 2-0, while Norway beat them 11-1. Norway is gonna rack up more hosting Estonia on 11/13, while Italy travels to Moldova. Then we get the match in Italy vs. Norway on 11/16. Italy would have to win by something like 6 or 7 goals maybe to come out on top on the tie-breaker, if they even win the match. Guess what, I think Norway has this group and Italy can't really do anything to stop it. Will Italy crumble again in the playoffs? It's time to start debating that lol.

Group J

Belgium 14, North Macedonia 13, Wales 10

This isn't as close as it looks, Belgium has two matches left against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein. Couldn't imagine an easier 6 points there for them. Wales will arrive at the 11/18 game in Cardiff with the same 13 points North Macedonia currently has, after beating Liechtenstein and a playoff spot will be on the line.

Group K

Albania 11, Serbia 10

Albania travels to Andorra on 11/13 and needs the 3 points there before hosting England on 11/16. In addition, if Serbia loses at England on 11/13, 2nd place will have already been clinched for the Albanians! That win in Belgrade was huge.

Group L

Croatia 16, Czech Republic 13, Faroe Islands 12

Well, I mean the Faroe Islands have to travel to Croatia with their final match and the Czechs get to host Gibraltar. You tell me how this finishing. Croatia has two matches left so the three-point lead is larger than it looks.

Edited October 16Oct 16 by DJHazey

Graham Potter has become the new manager of Sweden. I guess Sweden don't want to qualify for the World Cup! 🤷

Final Match Schedule in November

Group A

Germany 9 (+5), Slovakia 9 (+3), Northern Ireland 6 (+1), Luxembourg 0

11/14 - Luxembourg vs. Germany - Luxembourg City

11/14 - Slovakia vs. Northern Ireland - Košice, Slovakia

11/17 - Northern Ireland vs. Luxembourg - Belfast

11/17 - Germany vs. Slovakia - Leipzig, Germany

Group B

Switzerland 10 (+9), Kosovo 7 (-1), Slovenia 3 (-3), Sweden 1 (-5)

11/15 - Slovenia vs. Kosovo - Ljubljana, Slovenia

11/15 - Switzerland vs. Sweden - Geneva, Switzerland

11/18 - Kosovo vs. Switzerland - Pristina, Kosovo

11/18 - Sweden vs. Slovenia - Solna, Sweden

Group C

Denmark 10 (+11), Scotland 10 (+5), Greece 3, Belarus 0

11/15 - Greece vs. Scotland - Piraeus, Greece

11/15 - Denmark vs. Belarus - Copenhagen, Denmark

11/18 - Belarus vs. Greece - Zalaegerszeg, Hungary

11/18 - Scotland vs. Denmark - Glasgow, Sotland

Group D

France 10 (+6), Ukraine 7 (+1), Iceland 4 (+2), Azerbaijan 1 (-9)

11/13 - Azerbaijan vs. Iceland - Baku, Azerbaijan

11/13 - France vs. Ukraine - Paris, France

11/16 - Azerbaijan vs. France - Baku, Azerbaijan

11/16 - Ukraine vs. Iceland - Warsaw, Poland

Group E

Spain 12 (+15), Turkey 9 (+3), Georgia 3 (-3), Bulgaria 0

11/15 - Georgia vs. Spain - Tbilisi, Georgia

11/15 - Turkey vs. Bulgaria - Bursa, Turkey

11/18 - Bulgaria vs. Georgia - Sofia, Bulgaria

11/18 - Spain vs. Turkey - Seville, Spain

Group F

Portugal 10 (+7), Hungary 5 (+1), Ireland 4 (-1), Armenia 3 (-7)

11/13 - Armenia vs. Hungary - Yerevan, Armenia

11/13 - Ireland vs. Portugal - Dublin, Ireland

11/16 - Hungary vs. Ireland - Budapest, Hungary

11/16 - Portugal vs. Armenia - Porto, Portugal

Group G

Netherlands 16 (+19), Poland 13 (+6), Finland 10 (-5), Lithuania 3, Malta 2

11/14 - Finland vs. Malta - Helsinki, Finland

11/14 - Poland vs. Netherlands - Warsaw, Poland

11/17 - Malta vs. Poland - Ta' Qali, Malta

11/17 - Netherlands vs. Lithuania - Amsterdam, Netherlands

Group H

Austria 15 (+16), Bosnia and Herzegovina 13 (+8), Romania 10 (+5), Cyprus 8, San Marino 0

11/15 - Cyprus vs. Austria - Limassol, Cyprus

11/15 - Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Romania - Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

11/18 - Austria vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina - Vienna, Austria

11/18 - Romania vs. San Marino - Bucharest, Romania

Group I

Norway 18 (+26), Italy 15 (+10), Israel 9 (-4), Estonia 4, Moldova 1

11/13 - Norway vs. Estonia - Oslo, Norway

11/13 - Moldova vs. Italy - Chișinău, Moldova

11/16 - Israel vs. Moldova - Chișinău, Moldova

11/16 - Italy vs. Norway - Milan, Italy

Group J

Belgium 14 (+15), North Macedonia 13 (+9), Wales 10 (+3), Kazakhstan 7, Liechtenstein 0

11/15 - Kazakhstan vs. Belgium - Astana, Kazakhstan

11/15 - Liechtenstein vs. Wales - Vaduz, Liechtenstein

11/18 - Belgium vs. Liechtenstein - Liège, Belgium

11/18 - Wales vs. North Macedonia - Cardiff, Wales

Group K

England 18 (+18), Albania 11 (+3), Serbia 10 (0), Latvia 5, Andorra 1

11/13 - Andorra vs. Albania - Encamp, Andorra

11/13 - England vs. Serbia - London, England

11/16 - Albania vs. England - Tirana, Albania

11/16 - Serbia vs. Latvia - Leskovac, Serbia

Group L

Croatia 16 (+19), Czech Republic 13 (+4), Faroe Islands 12 (+4), Montenegro 6, Gibraltar 0

11/14 - Gibraltar vs. Montenegro - Gibraltar

11/14 - Croatia vs. Faroe Islands - Rijeka, Croatia

11/17 - Czech Republic vs. Gibraltar - Olomouc, Czech Republic

11/17 - Montenegro vs. Croatia - Podgorica, Montenegro

Edited October 21Oct 21 by DJHazey

I hope Romania can clinch 2nd spot in Group H.