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Sunday's World Cup Qualifiers preview: Scotland and Northern Ireland in final play-off push

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 05:  Gordon Strachan manager of Scotland celebrates as Martin Skrtel of Slovakia scores an own goal for their first goal during
Image: Will Gordon Strachan's Scotland secure a play-off place?

Scotland and Northern Ireland will be looking to secure World Cup Qualifying play-off spots when they play their final group matches on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

With the eight best runners-up from the nine groups securing a play-off spot, Northern Ireland are well positioned to finish second behind Germany in Group C, but may still need a positive result in their final game in Norway to seal their place.

Manager Michael O'Neill said: "There is a real importance to the fact that we make sure of the result in Norway because obviously we want to try and get three points, and we certainly want to make sure we're not beaten. Equally, we can't allow ourselves to field an inexperienced team and be beaten and then suddenly lose out on goal difference."

Germany booked their place in Russia with a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland on Thursday and they will be looking to make it 10 wins from 10 when they finish their campaign at home to Azerbaijan.

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The other game in the group sees Czech Republic host San Marino, who have lost all nine of their matches and have a goal difference of minus 44.

In Group F, Scotland boosted their chances of a play-off spot with a 1-0 win over Slovakia on Thursday.

However, Gordon Strachan's side are likely to have to win their final match in Slovenia to make sure they finish second in the group.

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Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has praised his side for playing in 'relegation games' to 'Championship-chasing' encounters

That's because Slovakia, who are two points behind Scotland and with a superior goal difference, host Malta, who have only taken one point from nine matches.

Looking ahead to the match in Slovenia, Strachan said: "They are a good side. I think people are getting around to it now. They [teams] never used to do their homework and think that should be easy.

"I think we're way past that now. Most fans understand that they are hard teams to play against."

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England, who guaranteed top spot with victory over Slovenia on Thursday, travel to Lithuania in their final group match looking to finish with an unbeaten record.

Poland need just a point from their home match with Montenegro to make sure they finish top of Group E.

Denmark are three points behind Poland so need to beat Romania at home and also hope Poland lose if they are to qualify automatically.

Montenegro have plenty to play for as they could still overhaul Denmark and finish second in the group if they beat Poland and Denmark lose.

Elsewhere in the group, Kazakhstan will be looking for their first win when they host Armenia.

Watch Slovenia v Scotland (5pm) and Norway v Northern Ireland (7.45pm) live on Sky Sports with the remaining fixtures available on the Sky Sports Football red button.

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