Coach Roberto Donadoni has been under a great deal of pressure recently as many Italians worry that they may fail to make the finals of Euro 2008. And after winning the World Cup, this would be especially embarrassing.

The top two teams from each group go through, and with lightweights Georgia, Lithuania and the Faroe Islands unlikely to cause much trouble in Group B (although Lithuania took a point away from their match against Italy), Italy, France, Scotland and the Ukraine are all in with a great chance of making the finals.

Scotland lead the group so far, Ukraine lost in the World Cup to Italy in the quarter-finals, and France and Italy battled it out in the final we shall all remember for the infamous Zinedine Zidane head-butt which earned him a red card.

'You would expect Italy and France to go through because of the depth of their respective squads, their experience and their class. But there may be a sting in the tail'

Ukraine, Scotland and France should all pick up full points on Saturday against the Faroe Islands, Georgia and Lithuania. Then, on Wednesday, Ukraine should get another three points against Lithuania, a fresher Italy may find rejuvenated Scotland hard to beat while Georgia and the Faroes fight it out over the scraps. This would leave Scotland, France and the Ukraine on 12 points each and Italy on 10.

Looking forward to the June clashes, Italy should pick up six points against the Faroes and Lithuania, France would be expected to at least draw with Ukraine and beat Georgia, and Scotland would be expected to beat Faroe Islands. This would put France on 16 with Italy, Scotland on 15 and the Ukraine on 13, both with a game in hand.

This group could well come down to the last two rounds with deciding matches between Italy and Scotland and between France and Ukraine. You would expect Italy and France to go through because of the depth of their respective squads, their experience and their class, but there may be a sting in the tail as Scotland entertain Italy at Hampden Park in their final qualifier in November.