The current European champions Greece have made an excellent start to their campaign, and in addition should pick up another three points when they face Moldova in Crete in their bid to reach the finals in Austria and Switzerland and defend their title. Greece will finish the season top of Group C no matter the outcome of Wednesday's results.

The World Cup winners Italy and the second place France have the doors open to make significant advances towards the Euro 2008 finals before the international season ends. Italy should be enthusiastic to beat Lithuania in Vilnius after lurching to a 1-1 draw against them in their opening qualifier in Naples last September.

France are also expected to be too strong for visitors Georgia in Auxerre as they bid to cement their place at the top of the group. France already beat Georgia 3-0 in their opening qualifier nine months ago and led the standings with 15 points for six matches.

The majority of the teams that occupy the leading positions of their groups look set to end the first half of the qualifiers in the same top places, the only exception could be Northern Ireland, who will probably be knocked off their perch in Group F. The Irish are without a game and either Sweden, who are at home to Iceland, or Spain, who visit Liechtenstein, can dislodge them.

Germany, the Group D leaders should also expand their grasp with a win over Slovakia in Hamburg which would move them five points clear of the Czech Republic, who do not play again until September.