World Cup 2010 / Joe Dyer / 06 September 2009 / Leave a comment

Drama is guaranteed on Wednesday night with vital fixtures at Hampden and Windsor Park

"Just one fixture remains for Scotland in the group - leaders Holland at Hampden on Wednesday night."

A strong set of Saturday results has left Scotland, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland with a chance of reaching South Africa 2010.

The trio all stand second in their groups with key clashes still to come.

A nervy, goalless first-half was turned on its head at Hampden Park where George Burley's Scots secured three points from their clash with Macedonia. Just one fixture remains for Scotland in the group - leaders Holland at Hampden on Wednesday night.

Points are not entirely necessary in Glasgow - as third-placed Macedonia go to fourth-placed Norway at the same time. Both sit three points behind Burley's men and a win for either would leave Scotland needing at least a draw, not easy considering the Dutch have a faultless qualifying record of seven wins from seven matches.

Scotland are [3.4] to win, Holland are [2.3] while the draw is considered a [3.55] chance.

Northern Ireland produced one of the performances of the night by securing a 1-1 away draw against Poland. Nigel Worthington's charges have two games left and a three point cushion to protect from the chasing pack. Group leaders Slovakia are next up at Windsor Park on Wednesday night and punters can hardly split the two - a home win is [2.8] while the away victory is [2.86].

The Republic of Ireland's 2-1 win in Cyprus leaves them just one point behind Italy in Group Eight, though having played a game more.

Tags: Holland, Northern Ireland, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Slovakia, South Africa 2010