What to look out for in World Cup play-offs
The World Cup play-offs start on Thursday with four European spaces up for grabs for this summer's tournament.
Northern Ireland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have never qualified for the same World Cup [BBC] The World Cup play-offs start on Thursday with four European spaces up for grabs for this summer's tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico. Wales host Bosnia-Herzegovina in the semi-final, while Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland play in Italy and the Czech Republic respectively. The play-offs are comprised of 16 teams - the 12 teams who finished second in their World Cup qualifying groups and the four best-ranked Nations League group winners who missed out via qualifying.
There are four play-off paths, each containing four teams, with one-legged semi-finals and finals. Northern Ireland could face Wales in play-off final Northern Ireland last qualified for a World Cup in 1986, when it was held in Mexico. If they beat Italy - which they have not done since 1958 - they could face Wales in the play-off final.
The game will be played at Atalanta's home ground in Bergamo. Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill says the venue will suit his side more than playing at iconic venues such as Milan's San Siro or Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Wales host Bosnia-Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium aiming to reach a second successive World Cup, although they not won any of their previous four meetings.
Wales manager Craig Bellamy described Bosnia-Herzegovina as "a different beast". If Wales and Northern Ireland are successful, they will meet in the play-off final in Wales. Can star-studded Sweden progress under Potter?