Since the 2 best second place teams automatically advance, this is likely to determine whether or not we make it to Germany, here are the ranks so far, we are currently in third place (but with a game in hand on Romania)

Team - Matches Played - Points - Goal Differential

Slovakia (4) 10 +12
Romania (5) 10 +5
Poland (4) 9 +5
Spain (4) 8 +7
France (4) 8 +4
Greece (5) 8 +2
Bulgaria (3) 7 +5
Norway (4) 7 +3

What kind of chance do you guys think we have? There are a lot of tough teams in competition with us, but luckily our group is not too tough compared to others.

Well, seeing as we are up against Spain and France, they will take the top two spots no doubt, looks like it will have to be a playoff, don`t like our chances there either, got to go for Gold or bust.

We have some tough opposition, but you need to remember, we don't need to face France or Spain. Besides the French are pretty old with some guys retiring or on the verge, so I don't think they will be as much of a threat. Hell, they couldn't beat Israel. They also have Ireland in their group and the Swiss. Considering France is low scoring (only have 4 goals so far in 4 matches), I don't think they will do too well.

As for Spain, they probably will end up winning their group (as theirs is not that difficult), but we will have to finish ahead of Serbia and Montenegro (they have wins against San Marino (2x) and Belgium). I think they'll fall back down.

Romania is doing well but all their good results are off of poor teams (Finland, Andorra), so they likely won't finish in second. Instead we might have to beat out the Czechs. Although it sounds hard, their group is pretty tough and I don't the Czechs can do as well in their group as we can do in ours.

Slovakia is our other main threat right now (but that could end up Russia), they don't have a tough group and Slovakia has scored 15 goals already in just 4 games, so that's pretty impressive. And their competition (aside from Portugal) is not going to get much tougher. They have a good chance at finishing first among second place teams if they keep their play up.

However, I still think we'll finish second if we can keep up our play. If we don't lose a match and pull out a draw in England it'll be easy pickings. But easier said they done, let's just hope we don't tie or lose to any of these teams we should be beating!

we really should be focusing on winning this group but i would settle for one of the automatic second places that puts you through.its in our hands at the moment and we will only have ourselves to blame if we end up in the dogfight playoffs! COME ON POLSKA ;)

I can't see why we can't win the group as england is bound to have a loss or draw against a crappy opponent, always happens

We can, but it's always good to know what our chances are if we don't.

Our chances of beating out England are slim - we have to win every game pretty much and hope they falter - or else we need to beat them in England, which would be no small task considering we couldn't even beat them minus Rooney in Poland. So even if England faltered they'd probably make up the ground on us in the final match. Unless of course they lose 2 matches or something, but I don't know how possible that is.

The new updated standings:



*Czech Republic new second place team in their group after overtaking Romania.

**Croatia also owns second spot in their group after taking it from Bulgaria.

NOTES:
Poland right now sits in very good position, however we must watch out for the Czechs and Croats. Croatia has played a fewer game, with a win their next game that would give them 13 and on pace for a better record than us. Slovakia and Croatia are the only teams that are doing better than us right now at this point. Although we have second place, not all teams have played an equal amount of matches. This race is too tight right now, so let's hope someone other than us stumbles!

Well well well, look who's the top second place team!!!



*Israel is now in second place with France moving up to first.
**Sweden has dropped to second while Croatia occupies top spot.