FINLAND may hold the key to Wales' chance of qualifying for the Euro 2004 championships in Portugal.
If they can hold Italy and/or Yugoslavia to draws at home Wales will have a great chance of qualifying, if they beat Azerbaijan and Finland at home.
The Argus has joined in the national game of guessing the outcome of the group, by predicting a result in all the remaining games.
Introducing a measure of pessimism we are predicting Welsh home wins against the Azeris and the Finns, but away defeats against Italy and Yugoslavia.
In the final game, at home against Yugoslavia, we are predicting a draw, which would be enough to allow Wales to qualify, with goal difference deciding the group winners.
Welsh bookmaker Jack Brown puts Wales as only third favourites to win the group, with Italy being installed as favourites and Yugoslavia second favourites.
In our worst case scenario in the table here, Wales and Yugosalvia would finish with 16 points and Italy would be eliminated with 15.
But one shock result could sway the whole table.
For instance, if Wales could win in either Italy or Yugoslavia they would almost certainly win the group and qualify by right. Even an away draw at either of the big two may be enough.
Whatever happens, it appears almost certain that the final game of the series, at home to Yugoslavia on October 11 next year will be the crunch match for Wales.
* See whether you disagree with our prediction. If you do, write to the sports editor and tell us how you see the group going. GROUP 9 P W D L F A Pts Wales 3 3 0 0 6 1 9 Yugoslavia 2 1 1 0 3 1 4 Italy 3 1 1 1 4 3 4 Finland 3 1 0 2 3 4 3 Azerbaijan 3 0 0 3 0 7 0
Results: Finalnd 0 Wales 2; Azerbaijan 0 Italy 2; Finland 3 Azerbaijan 0; Italy 1 Yugosalvia 1; Yugoslavia 2 Finland 0; Wales 2 Italy 1; Azerbaijan 0 Wales 2. Our predicted results in the remaining group matches, with points alongside are as follows: March 12, 2003: Yugoslavia 3 Azerbaijan 0. March 29: Italy 3 Finland 0; Wales 3 Azerbaijan 0. April 2: Yugoslavia 3 Wales 0. June 7: Finland 1 Yugoslavia 1. June 11: Finland 1 Italy 1; Azerbaijan 0 Yugoslavia 3. September 6: Italy 3 Wales 0; Azerbaijan 0 Finland 3. September 10: Wales 3 Finland 0; Yugoslavia 1 Italy 1. September 11: Italy 3 Azerbaijan 0; Wales 1 Yugoslavia 1
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