England out but what is still to play for in Nations League A?
With just one round of games to go in the UEFA Nations League group stages, there is still plenty to play for in League A as teams gear up to secure a place in next year's finals and avoid relegation into League B.
Here, we look at the permutations surrounding the quest to secure a finals spot and avoiding the drop in each group from League A.
As the only unbeaten side in Group 1, Italy are in the driving seat to secure a place in next year's finals. A 2-0 win over Poland on Sunday night leaves them top of their group with nine points from five matches ahead of their meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night.
However, the Azzurri can't afford to rest on their laurels, nor take Bosnia and Herzegovina lightly. Just two points separates the top three in the tightest of the four groups in League A. Netherlands gave their chances of finishing first a shot in the arm with a 3-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday evening, securing their first victory under Frank de Boer in the process.
One point behind Italy, the Oranje have the worse head-to-head record and so need a win to book their spot in the UEFA Nations League finals, even if Italy fall to Bosnia and Herzegovina. A Robert Lewandowski led Poland, too, aren't to be underestimated, this despite putting in a limp performance against the Group 1 leaders on Sunday night.
No matter what happens, Poland need to beat Netherlands and hope Bosnia and Herzegovina spring an upset and defeat Italy on Wednesday to finish first in Group 1. Already relegated to League B, however, Bosnia and Herzegovina have nothing but pride to play for coming into the final round of matches
Wednesday 18th November
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy (19:45)
Poland vs Netherlands (19:45)
England's 2-0 loss in Belgium on Sunday leaves the Three Lions five points off first with one game left to play. The Red Devils are the favourites to earn their spot in the 2021 finals, and would have already booked their place along with France over the weekend had it not been for Christian Eriksen's second half injury time penalty against Iceland.
Victory on home turf leaves the Danish Dynamite two points behind Belgium in a game they need to win in order to leapfrog Roberto Martinez's side to first. Belgium won the reverse fixture, as goals from Jason Denayer and Dries Mertens saw Martinez oversee a 2-0 win in Copenhagen and they are expected to make home advantage count in midweek.
In the other game, England have nothing but pride to play for when they take on already relegated Iceland and Gareth Southgate may use the clash as a chance to hand fringe players the opportunity to showcase their talent. After Jordan Henderson and Ben Chilwell were forced off in Belgium on Sunday night, Southgate will be wary about using too many first team regulars for Premier League sides in order to remain in the good books with club managers.
Wednesday 18th November
Belgium vs Denmark (19:45)
England vs Iceland (19:45)
The only group where the battle for top spot doesn't go down to the wire. France's 1-0 win in Portugal on Saturday night means that, on account of their better head-to-head record, the world champions are the first team to progress to the final round of the UEFA Nations League at the current holders' expense.
Rather, the key clash comes in the battle to avoid relegation into League B. Sweden's win over Croatia on Saturday means the quest to beat the drop comes down to the final 90 minutes of the group stage on Tuesday with both teams level on three points. Both teams won their corresponding clashes 2-1, so head-to-head record goes out of the window, so if Sweden and Croatia lose to France and Portugal, respectively, goal difference comes into account.
Not only are Sweden and Croatia level on three points, but both have a -6 goal difference, so it's a vital 90 minutes to determine who remains in League A and who drops into League B.
Tuesday 17th November
Croatia vs Portugal (19:45)
France vs Sweden (19:45)
The only group where both first place and consolidation in League A is still up for grabs. Switzerland's 1-1 draw with Spain gives them a fighting chance at avoiding the drop, but they have their work cut out in order to overhaul Ukraine and dump them into League B. Yann Sommer's heroics between the sticks will give Switzerland confidence they can secure the necessary result to keep their place in League A as they seek to secure all three points and win by two or more goals having lost to Ukraine 2-1 in their opening Group 4 clash back in September.
At the other end of the table, Spain host Germany as they look to pick up all three points on home turf. Sergio Ramos' double-penalty miss over the weekend could come back to haunt Luis Enrique's side as they know anything less than a win will see them miss out on a place in the UEFA Nations League finals.
Germany haven't exactly set the world alight in their UEFA Nations League campaign, but are unbeaten in their five group stage matches. A 3-1 win over Ukraine last time out means they are unbeaten in their last 12 games, with their last defeat coming at the hands of the Netherlands last September. If they avoid defeat, then they'll become the second team to progress to the UEFA Nations League final.
Tuesday 17th November
Spain vs Germany (19:45)
Switzerland vs Ukraine (19:45)
