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6th October 2017
05:49pm BST

Ireland are currently on 10 points in that standing but have just one more game to play (eight games are calculated).
The maximum they could reach is therefore 13 and they can only do that with a win in Wales whilst every other second-place team in every other group have a chance to amass and better that total and, thus, Ireland wouldn't get a playoff spot anyway.
So even if Wales draw with Georgia and Ireland overtake them into second place with a win over Moldova, Ireland would still have just 10 points in that second-place table.
A draw with Wales to cement second wouldn't be enough because eight other teams will finish with 11 or more points in that same table and they will be the eight playoff teams.
Ireland must beat Wales regardless, get to 13 points, and hope someone else cocks up to assure a playoff spot.
Otherwise second place in the group is pointless.Explore more on these topics: