If Waterford and Cork win, Cork finish 2nd and Tipp 3rd.
If Waterford and Limerick win, Limerick finish 2nd and Tipp 3rd.
If Waterford win and Limerick and Cork draw, Cork finish ahead of Limerick. If Waterford win by 5 or more, Limerick qualify in 3rd. If Waterford win by less than 5, Tipp qualify in 3rd.
Still early stages in the qualifiers but it already looks like the chances of Ireland getting a play-off are 50-50 at best.
In Group D, Wales, who we want to qualify automatically, look certain to fail, with Turkey likely getting their place. So that’s one down.
In Group F Austria v Sweden tomorrow is a big game. We want Austria to win that as Sweden are below us in the Nations League rankings. As said elsewhere Austria appear to going well but the Swedes are always worthy of respect.
Romania, who are behind us in the rankings, look a big threat to qualify in Group I, especially after a fine 2-2 draw in Switzerland this evening. Israel, who are ahead of us in the rankings, are their main opponents. I think I fancy Romania there.
In Group J, Slovakia, who are below us in the rankings, have had a decent start to the group. We want either of Bosnia or Iceland to get second behind Portugal - but both appear to be on the downslope and very beatable.
At this stage, if I had to call it, I think we won’t get a play-off as I think Turkey, Romania and Slovakia will all nab automatic qualification spots.
Austria beating Sweden was a rare reason for positivity on the night though.
Spock and Richie Sadlier will feel vindicated by that Luxembourg result. They’ve taken a few scalps recently now. Can’t see them sustaining it for an entire campaign though. They did lose 3-0 at home to us after all. Slovakia surely shoe ins for 2nd though barring a resurgence from Iceland.
You’d think Austria’s win puts them in the box seat for one of the qualifying spot. You’d think Belgium should still have enough to hold off Sweden but Belgium are definitely on the way down.
Poland’s defeat in Moldova another bad result for Ireland. Albania v Poland in September a big game in that group.
I think it’s probably too much to expect that all of Holland, Israel and Poland get the qualifying spots ahead of Greece, Romania and Albania.
Israel probably won’t finish above the Romanians anyway. The Swiss capitulated late on against Romania last night to hand them a vital point away from home.