FOR now, any number of permutations remain possible at the top of Group D. Germany are guaranteed at least a play-off place and will qualify for the Euro 2016 finals with a game to spare if they can avoid defeat in Dublin. Poland and the Republic could, theoretically at least, still finish in any position from first to fourth, while all Scotland are shooting for now is third place and a play-off spot. You could call it the footballing equivalent of a dog's chance.

A draw may be sufficient for Joachim Loew's side, but as they tune in to events across the Irish Sea, Scotland fans will be hoping for an away victory. Such an outcome for Joachim Loew's side on the night would mean that a point against Poland would be sufficient for the Scots to sneak into third place, albeit with a couple of qualifications. First, that Scotland take care of business against Gibraltar in Faro on Sunday night, and secondly that the Republic of Ireland don't upset the odds by winning in Warsaw at the same time. While the doomsday scenario of Poland and Republic of Ireland carving out a draw at our expense isn't impossible, that would mean the Republic effectively settling for a play-off spot when automatic qualification is available.

Suffice to say Scotland's own hopes of qualification would look a lot brighter in the event that they can win on Thursday night. That would mean, assuming once again that the World Champions are too strong for Martin O'Neill's side in Dublin, that Gordon Strachan's side need only win in Faro to be assured of a play-off place. As the Scots would then boast a better head-to-head record than Poland and the Republic of Ireland, they would be sure to finish third regardless of the result on the group's final matchday in Warsaw. Assuming Germany go on to top the group with victory against the Georgians on the final matchday, such an eventuality would see the Poles and the Republic effectively left playing off to decide which finishes second and which finishes fourth.