Monday's Euro 2016 Qualifiers preview: Portugal face crunch clash with Albania
Monday 7 September 2015 19:43, UK
Portugal face Albania in a Group I clash on Monday that should mean all-but qualification to Euro 2016 for the winner.
The victor will be on the brink of a place on the plane to France, with this group likely to feature the third-placed team with the highest number of points.
Portugal, the current Group I leaders, may hold top spot at the minute by just one point but they have already faced group whipping boys Armenia twice and are still to play Denmark (h) and Serbia (a).
Albania are well in the hunt for automatic qualification and secured a famous 1-0 victory in the corresponding fixture, with Bekim Balaj's second-half goal landing the spoils.
Albania will have to keep close tabs on the in-form Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been in superb for his national team recently, scoring five goals in the qualification campaign to date.
In the other game in Group I, Armenia host Denmark (kick-off 5pm BST).
Michael O'Neill's side moved to the top of Group F on Friday after they beat the Faroe Islands and Hungary held previous leaders Romania to a draw.
Live Euro 2016 Qualifiers
The results mean Northern Ireland are four points ahead of third-placed Hungary with three games remaining and on the brink of reaching their first major tournament since the 1986 World Cup.
O'Neill's team will be hoping basement boys Greece can do them a favour against Romania, who are just one point behind Northern Ireland in second.
Romania lost out to Greece a play-off for a 2014 FIFA World Cup finals, but can complete a Group F double over visitors whose qualifying hopes are now over.
Live Euro 2016 Qualifiers
Scotland face a tough task against Germany after their unexpected 1-0 loss away to Georgia on Friday left them fourth in Group D, one point behind the Republic of Ireland who now occupy the play-off place.
Republic of Ireland entertain Georgia at the Aviva looking for the win that will keep them on course for a play-off spot at next summer's European Championships.
With just three qualifiers left to play, the Republic know they cannot afford any slip-ups at home to Georgia if they want to maintain their slender one-point lead over the Scots, and with it a place in a two-legged play-off tie in November for the chance of making it to Euro 2016 in France.
Watch Monday's European Qualifiers live on Sky Sports - details here.
