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England take on Poland tonight with both teams already assured of qualification to next summer’s finals in Germany. Still at stake however is the honour of winning the group and, as yesterday’s reports indicate, the chance of being one of the tournaments seeded teams for the first round, thus avoiding other group winners such as Holland, Brazil and France (probably).

With the issue of qualification settled and the return of the talismanic Wayne Rooney, I think England may feel they can really go for it against Poland, keen as they no doubt are to answer their numerous critics in the press and on the terraces. England beat Poland away from home last season and should do tonight, hopefully in some style.

For the Austria game on Saturday I picked Frank Lampard to score first following his elevation to official penalty-taker, and I fancy him to net tonight as well. Not only will he be the man for any spot-kicks England are awarded, but with the injured Steven Gerrard set to be replaced by the defensive minded Ledley King, Lampard will have free licence to roam forward and play more as he does for Chelsea, for whom he already has five goals this season. At between 5/1 and 6/1 with most major firms Lampard could prove excellent value tonight.

Qualification is not so clear cut for the Republic of Ireland however, who play Switzerland tonight in Dublin. In an incredibly tight group Ireland lie in fourth but can still finish top, though that honour is likely to go to France who play minnows Cyprus tonight in their final match. Presuming France beat Cyprus they’ll top the group with 20 points, meaning Ireland (16 pts) must beat the Swiss (17 pts) to take second place and qualify for the play-offs. This echoes the situation of a couple of years ago, when the Swiss claimed a winner-takes-all qualifier in Dublin to sneak past Ireland and snatch a place at Euro 2004.

Tonight may provide Ireland with revenge for that heartbreak, but the absence of influential winger Damian Duff will place more emphasis on Everton’s inconsistent Kevin “Zinedine” Kilbane to break down a well-drilled Swiss defence, coming off the back of a credible 1-1 home draw with France on Saturday. Ireland’s defence can also expect a busy night from the Swiss strike force of Frei and Vonlanthen, who have 11 of the teams 18 qualifying goals between them. With this in mind I’d opt for disappointment in Dublin and a score draw, Corals offer 14/1 for a 2-2 scoreline.