World Cup qualifying in Europe has reached its halfway point, with five games played in each of the groups.
Here Press Association Sport asks its national team correspondents to predict their team's chances of reaching the finals in Russia next year - with our Republic of Ireland and Wales reporters both expecting their teams to finish second in Group D.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (DAMIAN SPELLMAN)
GAMES TO GO: June 11 v Austria (h), September 2 v Georgia (a), September 5 v Serbia (h), October 6 v Moldova (h), October 9 v Wales (a).
Martin O'Neill's unbeaten Republic of Ireland are well poised as they contemplate the second half of the campaign.
Three victories and two draws from their first five games have yielded 11 points and they trail Group D leaders Serbia only on goal difference with Wales and Austria four points adrift.
Ireland host the Austrians in June as the Welsh head for Belgrade on a night which could prove hugely significant, and having finished strongly to claim a Euro 2016 play-off berth, they will be confident of challenging for top spot as they home in on a final-day trip to Wales.
VERDICT: Play-offs
NORTHERN IRELAND (LIAM BLACKBURN)
GAMES TO GO: June 10 v Azerbaijan (a), September 1 v San Marino (a), September 4 v Czech Republic (h), October 5 v Germany (h), October 8 v Norway (a).
Russia is firmly on Northern Ireland's radar, even if the path remains long.
Germany are Group C's winners-in-waiting and the best prize on offer for the other five nations is second spot and subsequently a possible play-off berth.
Michael O'Neill's side sit in that position now with 10 points and they have already visited Germany and the Czech Republic.
Victory in Azerbaijan in June would essentially make it a two-horse race for second and the Czechs, two points adrift currently, still need to travel to Belfast.
If Northern Irish momentum is maintained through that September showdown, they will surely be one of the eight in the play-offs.
VERDICT: Play-offs
ENGLAND (SIMON PEACH)
GAMES TO GO: June 10 v Scotland (a), September 1 v Malta (a), September 4 v Slovakia (h), October 5 v Slovenia (h), October 8 v Lithuania (a).
Qualification is rarely an issue for England, it is how they then cope on the biggest stage.
Four points clear at the top of Group F at the midway point of qualification, it is hard to see Gareth Southgate's men slipping up.
England have not conceded after five matches - the only team in European qualification yet to do so - and have got two of their hardest away trips out of the way, Slovakia and Slovenia.
June's mouth-watering trip to Scotland is their toughest remaining assignment, but few expect qualification to be thrown off-kilter even if England falter at Hampden Park.
VERDICT: Group winners
SCOTLAND (GAVIN McCAFFERTY)
GAMES TO GO: June 10 v England (h), September 1 v Lithuania (a), September 4 v Malta (h), October 5 v Slovakia (h), October 8 v Slovenia (a).
Scotland were well aware their game against Slovenia was a "must-win" and they delivered, eventually, with Chris Martin's 88th-minute goal keeping manager Gordon Strachan in a job.
Despite the wait for the only goal, the victory was well-deserved and a similar performance could cause Group F leaders England some problems at Hampden on June 10.
Scotland have little, or possibly no, room for error in their final four matches but they are now two points off second and back in contention for a play-off spot.
Slovenia, Scotland and Slovakia have taken three points each from games against each other but Strachan's men still have to make up for two dropped points at home to Lithuania and a second-place finish remains unlikely.
They still have plenty to do but there is hope at least.
VERDICT: Fail to qualify.
WALES (PHIL BLANCHE)
GAMES TO GO: June 11 v Serbia (a), September 2 v Austria (h), September 5 v Moldova (a), October 6 v Georgia (a), October 9 v Republic of Ireland (h).
Wales' hopes of reaching the World Cup finals in Russia through top spot in Group D now look remote.
Four draws in five games have left them playing catch-up ahead of visiting group leaders Serbia in June. Gareth Bale's suspension makes life even more difficult in Belgrade and the likelihood is that Wales will lose even more ground.
But all is not lost with a September double-header against Austria and Moldova, and an October trip to Georgia.
I see enough points there for a Bale-inspired Wales to sneak second spot and a play-off place in a frantic group finale against the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff.
VERDICT: Play-offs.
