Group E favourites England face a crucial day of Euro 2008 qualifiers on Wednesday without even playing.

Steve McClaren's team could drop to fourth in the group if results go against them with their four nearest challengers Croatia, Macedonia, Israel and Russia all in action.

Russia have five points from three games while the other four teams all have seven - England and Macedonia from four games and Croatia and Israel from three.

Unless Israel lose at home to Croatia, or win by an unlikely six goal margin, England will drop to fourth in the group, no matter what happens in the other game.

At best England will drop to third, outside the top two qualification positions for Austria and Switzerland 2008. After two wins in their opening two games England faltered badly in their next two qualifiers, drawing at home to Macedonia and losing in Croatia with one of the side's most abject performances in recent memory.

It means that when McClaren's players take to the competitive field again, away to Israel on March 24, they could be under pressure to produce a result or risk losing touch with the front runners.

Croatia, Russia and Israel are all unbeaten after three games each and a win for either Israel or Croatia in their match in Tel Aviv could see them taking control in the group.

Editor: Donald