THE nine group winners qualify automatically for next year’s finals, along with the second-placed team with the most points against teams ranked in the top five in their group. The remaining eight runner-ups go in to a two-leg play-off.

Can Ireland win their group?

Yes, but they’ll need a favour from Slovakia tonight (that’s assuming Russia beat Andorra next Tuesday). If Slovakia beat Russia and Ireland take six points from their last two games, then they’ll top the group and qualify automatically. But even a draw for Russia tonight, followed by a win, would guarantee them top spot. If they finished level on points at the top with Ireland, Russia would go through because of their superior head-to-head-record.

What if Ireland finish level on points with one or more teams in their group?

If two or more teams finish level on points, the following criteria are applied to determine the rankings: 1 Higher number of points obtained in the group matches played among the teams in question. 2 Superior goal difference from the group matches played among the teams in question. 3 Higher number of goals scored in the group matches played among the teams in question. 4 Higher number of goals scored away from home in the group matches played among the teams in question. Then the above criteria are applied to the group as a whole, ie total goals scored in the group. If teams are still tied, then it goes down to the teams’ disciplinary record in the group and, then, the drawing of lots.

How is Ireland’s direct head-to-head record against Slovakia and Armenia?

No worries on the Slovakia front – two draws here, but it was 0-0 in Dublin and 1-1 in ZiIina, so the away goal puts Ireland ahead. They also have a 1-0 win away in Armenia under their belts, so the Armenians would need to overturn that in Dublin to come out on top in that direct head-to-head. But – and it’s a big but – if Ireland finished level on points with Russia and Slovakia, they would finish third in that mini-group, Slovakia’s 1-0 win in Moscow lifting them above Ireland.

How sure are Ireland of taking the runners-up spot, at least?

If they beat Andorra and Armenia then they’ll be certain of at least the runners-up spot, but a slip-up in either game and then, needless to say, it gets tricky. Four points, for example, from those games would put them on 19 points, a total Slovakia could beat with two wins.

Have Ireland any chance of qualifying automatically by being the best second-placed team?

It’s a long enough shot, but it’s possible – if other results go their way. Six other potential group runners-up are capable of beating Ireland’s points tally, with Portugal or Sweden in Group H and Denmark in Group E looking particularly well placed.