England's two victories in the September round of qualification matches have consolidated their position at the top of Group G and leaves them needing just a solitary point from their final group match to ensure automatic qualification for the Euro 2012 finals in Poland/Ukraine next summer. However the six point gap between first and second is slightly flattering as England have played a game more than Montenegro and must finish their campaign with a match in Podgorica on October 7th. Should the Three Lions fail to gain the point that they need, then victory for the Balkan minnows in Switzerland four days later would see them top the group by virtue of a better head to head record.
England would then be vying for the single automatic runners up spot, most likely with Sweden and Greece or Croatia. Whilst no country would relish the prospect of drawing England in a two leg play-off, the English themselves would not be very happy to be thrown into a sudden death position with Turkey, Serbia or even the Republic of Ireland. The Montenegrins gained a well deserved draw at Wembley last year and so, having also already beaten Bulgaria away and Switzerland at home, they will be no push overs come October.
Remaining fixtures:
October 7th:
Montenegro v England
Wales v Switzerland
October 11th
Bulgaria v Wales
Switzerland v Montenegro
Source: DSG
