Could England suffer the indignity of relegation? Can France and Spain push on for the play-offs? Will Scotland win promotion? The state of play in the UEFA Nations League
- The UEFA Nations League is back with six days of international football ahead
- England face tricky away trips to Croatia then Spain in elite League A
- Spain are the only side with 100 per cent record; France have four points
- Group winners enter Nations League finals, bottom-placed side is relegated
- Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland are chasing their first victories
- Wales and Scotland aiming to kick on following winning starts in their groups
The UEFA Nations League returns this week and the double-header of fixtures will help form a clearer picture of who is going to be promoted and who is going to be relegated.
The competition's unique format brings the ups and downs of club football to the international arena and with many of the groups comprising just three teams, every game matters.
Ahead of six days of international fixtures, we take a look at the state of play in the Nations League.
The UEFA Nations League takes centre stage again this week as the internationals return
How are England getting on?
It wasn't the best start for Gareth Southgate's team in the Nations League as they were defeated 2-1 by Spain at Wembley last month.
Although Marcus Rashford gave England the perfect start after just 11 minutes, Saul Niguez levelled just a couple of minutes later before Rodrigo Moreno took advantage of some slack marking to score a second-half winner.
There was an element of controversy, with England seeing a late equaliser disallowed after Danny Welbeck was adjudged to have fouled David de Gea.
It was England's first competitive defeat at Wembley since November 2007 - a run of 24 matches - and Spain then went on to thrash World Cup finalists Croatia 6-0 to take command of the group.
There was disappointment for England in their Nations League opener as they lost to Spain
England will be hoping for better fortunes when they travel to Croatia and Spain this week
Spain have taken command of League Four with victories over England and Croatia last month
Spain have the maximum six points from their opening two games and are on course to qualify for the Nations League final in June next year.
But with the team that finished bottom of the group suffering relegation from the elite League A to the less glamorous League B for the next Nations League, this Friday's meeting of Croatia and England in Rijeka is all-important.
At present, both teams are pointless, with Croatia bottom by virtue of their worse goal difference following that six-goal thrashing.
But if they beat England on Friday, the Three Lions will be in serious trouble, especially as they then travel to Seville to take on in-form Spain on Monday night.
Saul Niguez celebrates scoring Spain's first goal as they defeated England at Wembley
Spain then crushed Croatia 6-0 to take command of England's Nations League group
England will play Croatia behind closed doors at the Stadion HNK Rijeka on Friday night
Something playing into England's hands as they take on their conquerors in the semi-finals of the World Cup is that the match will be played behind closed doors.
That is because Croatia are serving a UEFA punishment after a swastika was marked on their pitch before a Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy in June 2015.
The Football Association have advised England supporters not to travel because they won't be allowed access to the stadium but some are likely to chance their arm anyway.
With Spain romping away with Group Four, the return meeting between England and Croatia at Wembley on November 18 could well become a relegation six-pointer.
What about the other elite groups?
Group One
World champions France have made a bright start to their group, drawing 0-0 away to Germany and then defeating Holland 2-1 in Paris last month.
They'll take a back seat on Saturday as Holland host Germany in Amsterdam, before they host the Germans at the Stade de France on Tuesday evening.
Win that game and France will be truly in the box seat to reach the final four, leaving Holland and Germany to slug it out to avoid dropping into the second tier.
Antoine Griezmann (left), Kylian Mbappe (centre) and Paul Pogba celebrates as France beat Holland in the Nations League last month
Germany's players train ahead of their Nations League match with Holland on Saturday night
France have started their group well, defeating Holland after drawing with Germany
Group Two
All to play for in Group Two, where Switzerland and Belgium started with victories over Iceland during last month's fixtures.
The Swiss thrashed Iceland 6-0 in St Gallen before Belgium went to Reykjavik and won 3-0.
While Iceland look set to tumble into League B, we'll know more about who will reach the play-offs after Belgium play Switzerland in Brussels on Friday night.
Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring in Belgium's 3-0 Nations League win over Iceland
Switzerland thrashed Iceland 6-0 to take the early advantage in Group Two over Belgium
Group Three
It appears that this group is going to be pretty open with little between the teams in the first two rounds of fixtures.
Italy and Poland drew 1-1 in Bologna before Portugal defeated Italy 1-0 in Lisbon a few days later to steal a march in the early running.
Things should take shape in the next week with Poland having the advantage of home fixtures against first Portugal and then Italy.
Action from the Portugal vs Italy Nations League encounter in Lisbon last month
Portugal defeated Italy to gain the early advantage in what is likely to be a tight Group Three
What's the story in League B?
Like England, it was a losing start for Northern Ireland in the Nations League. They were beaten 2-1 at Windsor Park by Bosnia and Herzegovina, who then beat Austria to take early command of Group Three.
It means realistically, Michael O'Neill's team need to get at least four points from their trips to Austria and Bosnia this week to stand any chance of joining the elite nations in League A next time.
Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrate scoring their winning goal against Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland have work to do in Group Three as they prepare to play Austria and Bosnia
Wales and the Republic of Ireland were paired together in Group Four and it was the Welsh who laid down an early marker with a 4-1 win in Cardiff.
However, Ryan Giggs's team then suffered a 2-0 reverse in Denmark to leave them trailing the Danes narrowly on goal difference.
Ireland will try to resurrect their campaign with back-to-back home fixtures this week, starting with Denmark on Saturday and Wales next Tuesday.
Gareth Bale celebrates scoring as Wales beat the Republic of Ireland 4-1 last month
Wales defeated the Republic of Ireland in their opener but then lost against Denmark
How are Scotland faring in League C?
Scotland find themselves in the third tier of the Nations League and made a positive start with a 2-0 home win over Albania to put them top of the group.
Next up, they travel to Israel, who lost 1-0 to Albania in their opening game, on Thursday evening.
That is their only competitive fixture this time around, with a trip to Albania and the home match with Israel lying in store next month as they try to reach League B.
Steve Naismith is mobbed after scoring Scotland's opening goal against Albania last month
Scotland beat Albania in their first Nations League game to take an early lead in Group One
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