Three Lions to progress

England can all but book their World Cup finals tickets if they manage to take full points at Kazakhstan in Almaty this evening.

After the humiliation of missing out altogether on Euro 2008, pride has been restored even if it took an Italian, Fabio Capello, to do it.

Five wins in as many games have the Three Lions cantering in Group Six with a five-point cushion over second-placed Croatia, while Ukraine lag another three points further behind.

With Andorra arriving at Wembley next week, six points from the two games would see England home and dry. Yet Almaty represents a trip into the unknown and with Croatia expecting to close the gap by seeing off the Ukrainians at home, England need to close the door with only the group winners guaranteed to go through.

Liverpool star Steven Gerrard says with Capello at their backs England are mentally ready for the task ahead against a side they beat 5-1 at Wembley, albeit after a sluggish opening.

"We need to approach them with the right attitude and get the job done," warned Gerrard. "If we win these two games, we will be three points away from qualification with three games to play and that puts us basically in the driving seat."

International team-mate Frank Lampard said England had been reassessing the Wembley meeting, conceding that "we were not at our best" on that occasion. Even at the end of a long campaign, which culminated in him landing the FA Cup with Chelsea, Lampard insisted he was itching for action.

"Everyone is fit and fresh and, whether they have lost or won cup finals with their club teams, they are very focused," said the 30-year-old.

England are without first-choice goalkeeper David James, who has undergone shoulder surgery – Robert Green is set to deputise – and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who has a calf problem, meaning a chance for Everton's Joleon Lescott or West Ham's Matthew Upson to impress alongside John Terry.

Meanwhile, as England race onwards towards the finals their recent nemesis, Portugal, can only wish they were in their shoes. The Portuguese, who ended English hopes at Euro 2004 and then at the World Cup in Germany two years later, have had a disastrous campaign under former United assistant Carlos Queiroz and will be on the verge of elimination if they lose in Albania tonight.

One win in five games means Cristiano Ronaldo and Co stand third, seven points behind Denmark and a resurgent Hungary. With a trip to the Danes, who beat them in Lisbon, to come Portugal are at crisis point after three straight goalless draws – including one at home to the Albanians.

"We have confidence in abundance," said Queiroz. "Mentally, physically, technically, we are fine. [But] there will have to be more intensity, quality and rhythm."

"We can't guarantee the result – but we do guarantee 90 minutes of quality football and hard work."

World champions Italy, European champions Spain, France and Germany also have a break as their rivals slug it out. Spain have maximum points in Group Five, while the unbeaten Italians sit atop Group Eight, meaning the pressure is on the Republic of Ireland this afternoon, who could go top by a single point if they end the challenge of Bulgaria away.

"It is the last game of the season for us and probably one of the biggest we have ever had," said Irish defender Richard Dunne.

It's no such worries for Germany, who sit top of Group Four with Guus Hiddink's Russia four points behind, albeit with a game more to play.

Keep up with the latest business news from the region with the daily Emirates Business 24|7 newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter, please click here.