Ireland still have outside chance of winning Group Four

Israel currently top the group with 18 points after their win over Faroe Islands but Israel have now completed their programme and must wait for Wednesday’s results to see whether they have accumulated enough points to figure.

France and Switzerland are in joint second position with 17 points after they drew their contest in Berne 1-1 while Ireland are fourth on 16 points after beating Cyprus 1-0.

France are in the best position going into the final series of matches — they play Cyprus in Paris and it would be a sensation if they were not to win.

A draw would be enough for France to be sure of second place and a play-off if the match in Dublin between Ireland and Switzerland does not prove to be conclusive.

A win for Switzerland in Dublin would see them finish first in the group and automatically through provided France do not beat Cyprus by more than four goals.

The incentive for Ireland, however, is that if they succeed in beating Switzerland then they are assured of at least second place and a play-off for a place in the finals.

And if Ireland win and France fail to beat Cyprus then Ireland will top the group.