MX23RW : Friday, January 24 18:54:31| >> :600:1585099:1585099:

A look at where the home nations could finish in the Nations League

Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland could be relegated from their groups.

The Nations League groups draw to a close on Wednesday with plenty still to play for.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the possible outcomes for England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

England

Belgium v England – UEFA Nations League – League A – Group 2 – King Power Stadion At Den Dreefts
England captain Harry Kane could not inspire victory in Belgium. (Bruno Fahy/Belga/PA)

England's slim hopes of returning to the UEFA Nations League finals ended after Sunday's 2-0 defeat in Belgium.

They are five points behind Roberto Martinez's leaders in Group A2 ahead of Wednesday's final game against Iceland, who are already relegated.

First-half strikes from Youri Tielemans and Dries Mertens sunk Gareth Southgate's side in Leuven.

Scotland

Scotland sit a point clear of the Czech Republic at the summit of Group B2 and will finish top if they beat Israel on Wednesday.

Steve Clarke's side missed a chance to clinch top spot on Sunday as they were brought back down to earth with a bump in a 1-0 defeat in Slovakia.

Just days after their famous penalty shoot-out win in Serbia to qualify for the Euro 2020 finals, the Scots were beaten by a deflected long-range effort from Jan Gregus in the first half.

Wales

Wales v Republic of Ireland – UEFA Nations League – League B – Group 4 – Cardiff City Stadium
Wales' Gareth Bale celebrates David Brooks' goal against Ireland. (Nick Potts/PA)

Wales remain in pole position to win Group B4 and sit one point ahead of Finland.

They host the Finns on Wednesday after a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday.

David Brooks headed the only goal of the game after 66 minutes.

Northern Ireland

Austria v Northern Ireland – UEFA Nations League – League B – Group 1 – Ernst Happel Stadion
Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough could see his side relegated. (Florian Schrotter/PA)

Ian Baraclough's side are staring at relegation from Group B1 ahead of the visit of Romania on Wednesday.

They are currently bottom of the group with one point. Their only hope of avoiding dropping into the next tier down is by overtaking third-placed Romania, who have four points.

Romania's game with Norway was cancelled on Sunday due to coronavirus restrictions affecting Lars Lagerback's squad and it is now likely they will forfeit the game, handing a 3-0 walkover victory to Romania and sealing Northern Ireland's relegation. A decision will be made by UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body.

Republic of Ireland

The Republic face a relegation decider against Bulgaria in Dublin on Wednesday.

They are winless in Group B4 and sit a point ahead of Bulgaria.

Jeff Hendrick was red-carded in their defeat to Wales to compound their frustrations.

ID:422505: cacheID:422505:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:10413:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
England's Harry Kane in action with Belgium's Toby Alderweireld in the UEFA Nations League on November 15, 2020
Read Next:
UEFA Nations League roundup: Belgium end England's hopes of making the semi-finals
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool21155150203050
2Arsenal22128243212244
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest22135433221144
4Chelsea22117444271740
5Manchester CityMan City22115644291538
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle22115638261238
7Bournemouth22107536261037
8Aston Villa2210663334-136
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2281043530534
10Fulham228953430433
11Brentford2284104039128
12Crystal Palace226972528-327
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2275102732-526
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2275102743-1626
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs22731245351024
16Everton214891828-1020
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2244143251-1916
18Ipswich TownIpswich2237122043-2316
19Leicester CityLeicester2235142348-2514
20Southampton2213181550-356


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!