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Home nations 33-1 to all book place in Paris

SCOTLAND continued their encouraging start to Euro 2016 qualifying Group D with a 2-2 draw away to Poland on Tuesday but manager Gordon Strachan expects the battle for European Championship qualification to go down to the wire.

The Scots are third, three points adrift of leaders Ireland, who remained unbeaten after John O’Shea’s injury-time goal secured a surprise 1-1 draw away to world champions Germany.

Despite sitting fourth after three games, Germany are 1-4 to win the group and 3-1 favourites to win the trophy, but a fascinating four-team battle is on the cards.

Scotland are 2-1 with Hills to reach France 2016 and 4-11 to fall short but Strachan has warned his team to prepare themselves for a long, intense campaign.

He said: “I said it after the Germany game and this confirms it. This is the hardest group, this will go to the last day.”

Next month’s Hampden Park clash between Scotland and Ireland could have a major bearing on the qualification picture.

Paddy Power have priced up the fixture, making Scotland 13-10 favourites and Ireland 2-1 shots.

However, Ireland are given a better chance over the course of the group and are 4-5 to qualify with bet365.

Northern Ireland are on course to qualify for the finals for the first time in their history after maintaining their 100 per cent start to Group F with a 2-0 win way to Greece. They are 6-1 from 12-1 to win the section and 5-4 with bet365 to reach the finals.

The four UK teams and Ireland are off to decents starts and Hills go 13-8 that three of them make it through.

They offer 150-1 they all miss out and 33-1 that all five are successful – something which would be unprecedented and warmly welcomed by the layers.

Hills spokesman Rupert Adams said: “The more the merrier for us – if all five made it to the finals, we would almost certainly see record turnover.”

Serbia and Albania are awaiting a Uefa disciplinary hearing after their Tuesday night clash in Belgrade was abandoned due to fighting among players and supporters.

Portugal are 8-13 favourites to win Group I after winning 1-0 in Denmark, while Serbia and the Danes are 10-3 and 4-1.

England qualified for the 2015 European Under-21 Championships with a 2-1 victory away to Croatia on Tuesday and are 9-2 with Coral to win the trophy.

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