Big guns facing huge challenges

In Group E England are in fourth place, behind Croatia, Israel and Russia, but could play themselves right back into contention with a victory at home against Israel.

 England coach Steve McLaren will be without forwards Wayne Rooney (foot) and Peter Crouch (suspended), midfielders David Beckham (ankle/knee) and Frank Lampard (thigh), as well as defender Wayne Bridge (hip) and will be hoping that Steve Gerrard is ready for Saturday's match.

 The Liverpool captain broke a toe in his side's Champions League match against Toulouse two weeks ago, but could be on the Wembley pitch with a painkiller.

 "What I've got to do is make sure we get the best players available to help us win this game," McLaren said. "We are coming into big games and we need big players."

   The coach has recalled Emile Heskey into the squad and with Rooney and Crouch out, the Wigan player could feature against the Israeli's, who travel to England with their full squad, including playmaker Yossi Benayoun, who plays for Liverpool.

 In other group matches Croatia should keep their grip on the lead with a victory at home against Estonia, while Russia will be favoured against Macedonia.

 An intriguing clash takes place in the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan in the rematch of the World Cup final between France and Italy. The Les Bleus will be without suspended coach Raymond Domenech, who was given a one-match touchline ban after making derogatory statements about the Italians.

 Italy, who are two points behind France in Group B, can not afford to lose to the French and a defeat would place them in danger of losing out on a place at the finals. The Les Bleus have proved to be something of a jinx team for the Azzurri, who have not beaten the French in regular play since 1978.

 In 1984, as reigning world champions, they already failed to qualify for the Euro finals and Italians are now scared of a repeat performance.

 Scotland, who surprisingly find themselves in a position to challenge for a place at the finals even though they are in the same group as the World Cup winners and runners-up, are at home to Lithuania, while Ukraine are away to Georgia.

 Looking well on their way towards qualifying for the finals are Germany, who have a five-point cushion over the Czech Republic in Group D. The Germans are away to Wales on Saturday, while the Czechs will be hoping to boost their goal average in San Marino.

 Ireland are a point behind the Czechs and need to win in Slovakia to maintain their challenge.

 Group A remains wide open with Poland, who are away to Portugal, topping the group with 19 points from their nine games. Finland, who travel to Serbia, are two points behind the leaders. Portugal, who have a game in hand, are on 15 points, while Serbia who also have a game in hand, are on 14 points.

 Defending champions Greece, are not playing on Saturday, but with a five point advantage at the top of Group C, they at least know that they will head the group irrespective of the outcomes of the matches on Saturday.

 Second-placed Norway, who like Bosnia-Herzegovina and Turkey are on 13 points, play against bottom-placed Moldova, while the Turks should have few problems in Malta. The Bosnians face Hungary.

 In Group F, Sweden, Northern Ireland and Spain are involved in a tussle for the two places at the finals. Sweden, who top the group on 18 points, face their Scandinavian rivals Denmark, while Northern Ireland, who are two points behind, travel to Latvia.

 Spain, who are a further point behind, should have no problems to pick up full points in Iceland.

 The Netherlands face Bulgaria in a top of the table clash in Group G. The Dutch have a game in hand and are three points behind leaders Romania, while Bulgaria are two behind the east European country.

 The Romanians are away to Belarus, while the final group game sees Luxembourg at home to Slovenia.

 The top two teams from each group will join co-hosts Austria and Switzerland at next years' finals.

DPA