Following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bulgaria in Sofia, the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign remains firmly on-track. While a top two finish now seems even more likely, top spot and an automatic qualification place seems slightly beyond Giovanni Trapattoni and his squad.

Italy still seem set to claim top spot in Ireland’s group which leaves Ireland looking at the play-off route. The format for qualification from Europe for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa involves the nine group winners gaining automatic qualification. The remaining four European places will go to winners of two legged play-offs in mid- November.

However, that means that one second placed side in Europe will be eliminated. The format is further complicated by the fact that eight of the nine European groups contain six teams while group nine contains five. This is overcome by eliminating the results of teams against the lowest ranked nation in their group.

The table below shows current standings and when complete all teams will have played 10 games. The format is further complicated by the fact that not all teams currently occupying second spots are sure to finish there. Portugal for example look set to challenge Hungary in group 1 – with Sweden also in the mix.

While the Republic of Ireland are most definitely still in the mix, progress to the play-offs is not as clear-cut as some experts would have you believe. A win against credible opposition seems crucial in the remaining games.

Team P W D L F A Pts
Russia 5 4 0 1 11 3 12
France 5 3 1 1 7 6 10
Bosnia-Herzegovina 5 3 0 2 14 6 9
Hungary 4 2 1 1 4 2 7
Switzerland 4 2 1 1 7 6 7
Republic of Ireland 5 1 4 0 4 3 7
Northern Ireland 5 2 1 2 5 6 7
Scotland 5 2 1 2 4 6 7
Croatia 4 1 2 1 6 6 5