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Euro 2016: Who could the home nations draw?

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Sports Mole assesses the best and worst-case scenarios for the British nations and the Republic of Ireland ahead of next month's Euro 2016 draw.

Following the conclusion of the playoffs earlier this week, we now know the identities of the nations that will compete at Euro 2016 next summer.

Among the 24 countries are three from Great Britain (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) as well as the Republic of Ireland, who defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 on aggregate on Monday night.

The Three Lions have been handed a place in pot one for the draw, which will be held in Paris next month, while Wales and the two Ireland sides have been put together among the fourth-seeded teams.

With that in mind, Sports Mole takes a closer look at which teams those four could face, as well as considering the best and worst-case scenarios.


Pot One: France, Spain, Germany, England, Portugal, Belgium

Pot Two: Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Ukraine

Pot Three: Czech Republic, Sweden, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary

Pot Four: Turkey, Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Wales, Albania, Northern Ireland


England

Having not gone beyond the quarter-finals of a major tournament that they have not hosted since the 1990 World Cup, Roy Hodgson's England can probably count themselves a tad fortunate to find themselves in among the top seeds. Although, it should be noted that they were the only side to have come through the qualification process with a 100% winning record.

After losing to Italy in the last Euros and World Cup, England are likely to be eager to avoid the Azzurri. Russia can notoriously be tough to break down, while Croatia have some talented individuals in Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic. Other than that, the rest of the teams in pot two should hold little fear.

Further down it would be preferable to avoid Poland and Sweden, who are spearheaded by the free-scoring Robert Lewandowski and Zlatan Ibrahimovic respectively. Wales and the Irish duo are likely to raise their game against the English, so missing them would also be favourable.

Best case scenario: Switzerland, Hungary, Albania
Worst case scenario: Italy, Poland, Wales


Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland

ROI featured at the last Euros that was co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, but for Wales and Northern Ireland, they will be ending long major tournament droughts in France. The Welsh have been absent since the 1958 World Cup, while Norn Iron have been away since the 1986 instalment; neither have ever played in a Euros.

Obviously none of the six teams in pot one are particularly attractive propositions, but perhaps it might be best to play England. Northern Ireland have a recent famous victory against the one-time world champions, while ROI are unbeaten in the last seven meetings between the two. Wales have not beaten England since 1984, but in Gareth Bale they have a world star, who is backed up by a well organised unit under Chris Coleman's management. Aside from England, Portugal would be the next best option.

In pot two Austria are an improving nation with Bayern Munich's David Alaba their main man, but they should still be considered beatable. The trio are also likely to fancy their chances against many of the teams in the third pot, but Hungary have no standout players to speak of and are arguably the weakest outfit collectively.

Best case scenario: England, Austria, Hungary
Worst case scenario: France, Italy, Poland


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