Nations League 2018: What do England need to win, can they get relegated and what are the permutations?
England can win their group, but it is out of their hands
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Your support makes all the difference.Here we are. Uefa promised that “every game counts” and that their brand new and innovative competition would spell the end of pointless friendlies as well as matches that nobody cares about.
In many ways it has worked. England sent out a real statement of intent by beating Spain in Seville in a match that will not have produced the same kind of narrative or setting for a momentous triumph and there seems to be a genuine competitive intent to their matches.
Out of all the 24 permutations to be decided, group winners, promotion and relegation, only four have been confirmed.
How does the Nations League work?
The winners of the four groups in League A advance to the final four of the competition and play each other in a semi-final to final series of matches, as with the final four of any knockout competition.
The team that finishes bottom of the three sides in League A is relegated to a group in League B. Teams that finish at the top of the group in League B are promoted to League A and those that finish last are promoted to League C. Promotions and relegations from League C work in the same way and League D is the bottom of the pile, so nobody is relegated beyond there.
Simple, right?
Things get a little more complicated when you look at which sides can gain automatic qualification to the European Championships through the Nations League. The winners of each group will also enter a play-off for the league, and the winner of each league play-off will receive qualification to the 2020 European Championship.
What do England need to qualify?
England, who are grouped with Spain and Croatia, could finish first, second or last in their table, exciting, right?
It all hinges on the outcome of Croatia vs Spain on Thursday night. If Spain win then they are group winners regardless of England’s result against Croatia on Sunday. A draw means that there would be an opening for England to sneak through as group winners, and Croatia winning would blow the group wide open.
Regardless of the result on Thursday, if Croatia beat England at Wembley then Gareth Southgate’s side will finish on level points with Croatia but finish below them due to their head-to-head record.
What about the other home nations?
Wales’ destiny is entirely in their own hands and will be promoted for League B with a win against Denmark on Friday. A draw would mean they will have to rely on the Republic of Ireland avoiding defeat against Denmark on Monday night.
Martin O’Neill’s side will be relegated unless Denmark lose both their matches.
Northern Ireland will be relegated from Group B3 if Austria avoid defeat against Bosnia-Herzegovina. If the Austrians do lose, then Northern Ireland must beat them by one or more goals when they play on Sunday.
In League C, Scotland will be promoted and play their way into a Euro 2020 play-off spot if they beat Albania and Israel in their final two matches.
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