By Stuart Gillespie

It's a big week of international football for three of the home nations and the Republic of Ireland, all of whose groups are finely poised. Students of the Game previews Saturday's matches.

Netherlands v Scotland (Group Nine, 2nd with 4 points)

Numerous squad pull-outs mean many Scots fear a repeat of the 6-0 drubbing their side received last time they visited Amsterdam. Injuries and hissy fits have deprived George Burley of (deep breath) David Weir, Paul Hartley, Barry Robson, Kevin Thomson, Shaun Maloney, Kris Commons, Kris Boyd, James McFadden and several more. It also looks likely that Stephen McManus will miss out, and Burley has said he will not risk Alan Hutton. Finally, Craig Gordon's lack of club football has seen him usurped by Allan McGregor in goal.

The Dutch, meanwhile, are in rude health, and Bert van Marwijk will be able to call on the likes of Robben, Sneijder, van Persie and Huntelaar.

Ideally, Scotland would have continued with the 4-1-4-1 formation they favour against top opposition, with Hartley in front of the defence. In the absence of the Celtic man, Gary Caldwell could have fulfilled that role, but with McManus also likely to miss out, Caldwell will have to partner debutant Christophe Berra in defence.

The performance of midfield trio Scott Brown, Darren Fletcher and Barry Ferguson will therefore be crucial to the Scots' fortunes. Brown has been outstanding in a mediocre Celtic team, while Fletcher finally appears to have silenced his critics this season.

Whatever the outcome (and it doesn't look good), at least the Tartan Army are in the right place to make a decent weekend of it.

Northern Ireland v Poland (Group Three, 2nd with 7 points)

Northern Ireland have punched above their weight recently, and this campaign under Nigel Worthington has been no different. They sit second in a tough group containing the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia.

The Poles visit Windsor Park on Saturday and it will take another superhuman effort from David Healy and co to see off Leo Beenhakker's solid outfit. A draw would keep Norn Iron ticking over nicely though, in their quest for at least a play-off place.

Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria (Group Eight, 2nd with 10 points)

This game presents an excellent chance for Trap's mean to make Group Eight a two horse race with Italy. Already seven points ahead of second-placed Bulgaria, a win would set up Wednesday's clash with the Azzuri very nicely indeed.

And the Republic could not have asked for better circumstances for Saturday's match: Bulgaria will be without star man Dimitar Berbatov and long-term absentee Martin Petrov, while Shay Given and Aidan McGeady have been passed fit for the Irish.

Don't blow it guys...

Wales v Finland (Group Four, 3rd with 6 points)

Germany look to have this one sewn up, so it's between Wales, Russia and Finland for the potential play-off spot. And as striker Rob Earnshaw has acknowledged, a win on Saturday is crucial if Wales are to have any chance of keeping up with Guus Hiddink's side.

With Craig Bellamy unlikely to be fully match-fit, Earnshaw will need to be on top of his game - matches involving the Welsh have been tight affairs in this campaign, and a single goal may settle it.

With England's U21's to play Norway and France in th next week, Students of the Game runs the rule over the pretenders looking to move up to the senior squad.

GK - Joe Hart DOB: 19/04/87

Joe Hart displaced Kasper Schmeichel and Andreas Isaaksson as the starting goalkeeper at Manchester City in 2007/2008, and his performances at Eastlands have led to international recognition at U19,  Under-21 and senior level.  He made his senior debut against Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain on 1 June and is widely seen as a future England No.1

Potential 7/10

RB - Micah Richards DOB: 24/06/88

Perhaps the most hyped defender of his generation, Richards' pace and power had pundits purring when he burst onto the scene. A versatile player who can be a threat at set-pieces his career has stalled somewhat since his last senior cap in 2007 but at his best can still be a game winner.

Potential 8/10

CB - David Wheater DOB: 14/02/87

A strong centre half with an eye for goal, David's performances for Middlesbrough led to a call-up - and an Under-21 debut - against Romania in August 2007. Has always been in Capello's thoughts and was called up as a back-up for John Terry last year. Is well known for his autograph hunting but could end up being one of the more valuable in his own collection.

Potential 7/10

CB - Michael Mancienne DOB: 08/01/88

A talented young defender who received his first call up in 2007 and his since been included in the full England squad. May ned to move away from Chelsea in order to fulfil his potential but seems to be highly rated and is allegedly a target for several Premier League clubs.

Potential 6/10

LB - Andrew Taylor DOB: 01/08/86

Regularly features at left back for Middlesbrough and Stuart Pearce and is a graduate of Middlesbrough's excellent academy. Taylor was a part of England's Under-19 Championship team in 2005 where they finished runners-up to France.

Potential 6/10

RM - Theo Walcott DOB:16/03/89

A record-breaker for England, Theo became England's youngest ever full international by appearing against Hungary at Old Trafford in May 2006.  Just three months later, he made his debut for the Under-21s against Moldova and scored after just three minutes to become England Under-21s' youngest-ever goalscorer. Not much else to say after his hat-trick against Croatia, with Wenger in charge he could be really special.

Potential 9/10

CM - Michael Johnson DOB: 24/02/88

After a brilliant 07/08 campaign under Sven at Man City Johnson's career has stalled under Mark Hughes, partly due to bad luck with injuries. Only last year he was being compared to Stephen Gerrard and looked a top player in the making.

Potential 8/10

CM - Jack Rodwell DOB: 11/03/91

A recent breakthrough, called into the under-21 squad only a month after his Premier League debut for Everton. Has captained England u16's, and played for u17's and u19's and hasn't missed a beat since his introduction to senior football. Is the youngest player to represent Everton in Europe and is likely to flourish under David Moyes.

Potential 8/10

LM - James Milner DOB: 04/01/86

England's most-capped u21 player of all time and is equally comfortable on either flank. Is perhaps the only Aston Villa player still flourishing in the second half of the season and whilst Milner doesn't have the pace of a Lennon or Wright-Phillips he does have a better delivery. May end up battling with clubmate Ashley Young for an England place or both may be employed on the wings with Walcott up front.

Potential 7/10

CF -  Gabriel Agbonlahor DOB: 13/10/86

Has made two succesive great starts to Premier League seasons before fizzling out and may be a victim of Martin O'Neill's preferance for a small squad. Nevertheless has the natural pace and finishing ability to become Michael Owen's successor and could one-day form a lethal partnership with Wayne Rooney

Potential 8.5/10

CF - Frazier Campbell DOB: 13/09/87

Has a career record of 37 goals in 74 games but made the mistake of being used as a makeweight in the Berbatov deal and Harry Redknapp's attempts to recreate Martin Jol's Tottenham side have led to him being sidelined ever since.

Potential 6/10

Ones to Watch

Fabian Delph (Leeds) aged 19 Potential 8/10

Adam Lallana (Southampton) aged 20 Potential 7/10

Joe Mattock (Leicester) aged 18 Potential 6/10

Who else do you think could make the step up?

When it comes to England everyone has their opinion, whether it's shoehorning all the best players onto the pitch even if it means a lack of balance, or whether it's sacrificing star players for the sake of a collective identity.

Fitting together all England's best players 

James - Gerrard - Ferdinand - Terry - Cole - Walcott - Lampard - Barry - Cole. J - Rooney - Owen 

Balance for the sake of the team

James - Brown - Ferdinand - Terry - Cole - Walcott/W-Phillips - Lampard - Barry  - Cole.J - Heskey - Rooney

Obviously we need to find a safer pair of hands than David James, a world-class right back, and a role for Michael Owen. I would start Lampard ahead of Gerrard at the moment (despite Gerrard being a better player) because Lampard is in great form. I would eventually like to see a Gerrard - Barry axis in the centre. I still think a Rooney - Owen partnership has great potential (Euro 2004) but for the time being would be happy to start with Heskey with Owen on the bench.

What are you thoughts for the Belarus game? I would start Gerrard and Bridge on the left, with the rest of the team as from Croatia (bar John Terry)