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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

Where Wales currently stand and what they need in Slovakia and Croatia Euro 2020 qualifiers

Wales face a pivotal week in their quest to qualify for Euro 2020.

Ryan Giggs' side face Slovakia and Croatia in quick succession as they bid to keep their hopes of reaching next year's tournament alive.

Here's exactly where things stand ahead of the crunch double header.

What are the upcoming fixtures?

Thursday, October 10

Croatia v Hungary

Slovakia v Wales

Sunday, October 13

Hungary v Azerbaijan

Wales v Croatia

And what about the fixtures after that?

Saturday, November 16

Azerbaijan v Wales

Croatia v Slovakia

Tuesday, November 19

Wales v Hungary

Slovakia v Azerbaijan

How does Group E currently look?

1 Croatia - P5; W3; D1; L1; Pts 10

2 Slovakia  - P5; W3; D0; L2; Pts 9

3 Hungary - P5; W3; D0; L2; Pts 9

4 Wales - P4; W2; D0; L2; Pts 6

5 Azerbaijan - P5; W0; D1; L4; Pts 1

Wales' Gareth Bale scores against Azerbaijan (PA Wire)

What do Wales need to qualify?

A dream scenario would be for Wales to win all four of their remaining matches, as that would guarantee a place in the top two of the group, and with it a spot at Euro 2020.

But that's a tough ask to say the least.

History shows countries finishing in second spot in five-team qualifying groups end their qualifying campaigns, on average, with 15 points from their eight fixtures.

You can read more on that here.

As Wales currently have six points with four games left to play, it looks as though they'll need three wins at the very least to qualify, potentially drawing the other game, unless there are a few surprise results elsewhere.

As for the Slovakia game specifically, lose and Wales will face a monumental task to qualify via the regular format. Their hopes would be all-but ended. So it appears to be a must-not-lose game rather than a must-win, although three points in Trnava would be enormous for Giggs' men.

Seven points could even be enough for Wales, for example, if they were to draw in Slovakia, lose to Croatia and then win their final two games, as long as Croatia defeated the other big guns in the group, which would allow Giggs' side to sneak into runner-up spot.

What about the Nations League?

Let's not forget the Nations League as it could yet come to Wales' rescue.

The situation is explained in full right here.

Wales manager Ryan Giggs (Getty)

Wales squad

Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Adam Davies.

Chris Gunter, Ashley Williams, Ben Davies, Neil Taylor, Connor Roberts, Ethan Ampadu, Chris Mepham, Tom Lockyer, Joe Rodon.

Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen, Jonny Williams, Harry Wilson, Matthew Smith, Daniel James, Will Vaulks, Joe Morrell.

Gareth Bale, Sam Vokes, Tom Lawrence, Tyler Roberts, Rabbi Matondo, Kieffer Moore.

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