The Republic of Ireland's poor performance in the UEFA Nations League could have a negative impact on qualifying for Euro 2020, it now looks likely Martin O'Neill's side will be ranked as a third seed for the draw on 2 December in Dublin.
Ireland need a win in Aarhus against Denmark and a Wales victory against the same opposition to avoid such a fate.
Given the current form, it’s a big ask.
The conclusion of the Nations League and the qualifying places bring about a number of variables over how teams will be seeded whether they are in five or six-team group.
The four teams in the final of the Nations League will be placed in a separate pot and drawn into Groups A–D which only have five teams.
The top seeds as it stands are:
France, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Portugal, Italy, Spain, England, Germany and Poland.
The second seeds currently are:
Croatia, Iceland, Russia, Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Austria, Wales, Denmark, Ukraine and Czech Republic.
Ireland are now among the third seeds due to the poor results so far in the Nations League, so rather than being among Pot 2, they will face the more difficult ask in Pot 3.
Slovakia, Sweden, Northern Ireland, Israel, Finland, Norway, Serbia, Bulgaria and Montenegro will join them, ruling out those as opposition in the group.
It means there are potential nightmare draws, but it all depends on the conclusion of the Nations League.
As always, the luck of the draw will determine so much for Ireland. A potential draw with France and Croatia is possible, and the final group games could even see Germany drop into the second seeds.
But then there is a chance of a Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina which is more favourable.
Pot 4 is also relevant of course. They are:
Scotland, Albania, Greece, Hungary, Estonia, Cyprus, Slovenia, Romania, Lithuania and Georgia.
A top two finish in the group will see Ireland in Euro 2020.
And if not we may need to get our Nations League calculator for a possible play-off spot.......
