Footballing superpowers Italy and Germany can seal their places at the 2010 World Cup on Saturday as qualifying for South Africa enters the home straight.
England, Spain and the Netherlands are the only European countries to have already secured their tickets for next year s finals leaving six automatic places still up for grabs.
A further four countries will gain qualification through the play-offs.
World Cup winners Italy travel to Dublin to play the Republic of Ireland requiring only a point to guarantee their presence in South Africa as winners of Group Eight.
Germany are in Moscow to take on Guus Hiddink s Russia where a win for Joachim Loew s side will see them safely through from Group Four.
Portugal, semi-finalists in 2006, have struggled…