The UEFA Nations League returns this week and the double-header of fixtures will help form a clearer picture of who is going to be promoted and who is going to be relegated.
The competition's unique format brings the ups and downs of club football to the international arena and with many of the groups comprising just three teams, every game matters.
Ahead of six days of international fixtures, we take a look at the state of play in the Nations League.
How are England getting on?
It wasn't the best start for Gareth Southgate's team in the Nations League as they were defeated 2-1 by Spain at Wembley last month.
Although Marcus Rashford gave England the perfect start after just 11 minutes, Saul Niguez levelled just a couple of minutes later before Rodrigo Moreno took advantage of some slack marking to score a second-half winner.
There was an element of controversy, with England seeing a late equaliser disallowed after Danny Welbeck was adjudged to have fouled David de Gea.
It was England's first competitive defeat at Wembley since November 2007 - a run of 24 matches - and Spain then went on to thrash World Cup finalists Croatia 6-0 to take command of the group.
Spain have the maximum six points from their opening two games and are on course to qualify for the Nations League final in June next year.
But with the team that finished bottom of the group suffering relegation from the elite League A to the less glamorous League B for the next Nations League, this Friday's meeting of Croatia and England in Rijeka is all-important.
At present, both teams are pointless, with Croatia bottom by virtue of their worse goal difference following that six-goal thrashing.
But if they beat England on Friday, the Three Lions will be in serious trouble, especially as they then travel to Seville to take on in-form Spain on Monday night.
Something playing into England's hands as they take on their conquerors in the semi-finals of the World Cup is that the match will be played behind closed doors.
That is because Croatia are serving a UEFA punishment after a swastika was marked on their pitch before a Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy in June 2015.
The Football Association have advised England supporters not to travel because they won't be allowed access to the stadium but some are likely to chance their arm anyway.
With Spain romping away with Group Four, the return meeting between England and Croatia at Wembley on November 18 could well become a relegation six-pointer.
What about the other elite groups?
Group One
World champions France have made a bright start to their group, drawing 0-0 away to Germany and then defeating Holland 2-1 in Paris last month.
They'll take a back seat on Saturday as Holland host Germany in Amsterdam, before they host the Germans at the Stade de France on Tuesday evening.
Win that game and France will be truly in the box seat to reach the final four, leaving Holland and Germany to slug it out to avoid dropping into the second-tier.
Group Two
All to play for in Group Two, where Switzerland and Belgium started with victories over Iceland during last month's fixtures.
The Swiss thrashed Iceland 6-0 in St Gallen before Belgium went to Reykjavik and won 3-0.
While Iceland look set to tumble into League B, we'll know more about who will reach the play-offs after Belgium play Switzerland in Brussels on Friday night.
Group Three
It appears that this group is going to be pretty open with little between the teams in the first two rounds of fixtures.
Italy and Poland drew 1-1 in Bologna before Portugal defeated Italy 1-0 in Lisbon a few days later to steal a march in the early running.
Things should take shape in the next week with Poland having the advantage of home fixtures against first Portugal and then Italy.
What's the story in League B?
Like England, it was a losing start for Northern Ireland in the Nations League second tier. They were beaten 2-1 at Windsor Park by Bosnia and Herzegovina, who then beat Austria to take early command of Group Three.
It means realistically, Michael O'Neill's team need to get at least four points from their trips to Austria and Bosnia this week to stand any chance of joining the elite nations in League A next time.
Wales and the Republic of Ireland were paired together in Group Four and it was the Welsh who laid down an early marker with a 4-1 win in Cardiff.
However, Ryan Giggs's team then suffered a 2-0 reverse in Denmark to leave them trailing the Danes narrowly on goal difference.
Ireland will try and resurrect their campaign with back-to-back home fixtures this week, starting with Denmark on Saturday and Wales next Tuesday.
How are Scotland faring in League C?
Scotland find themselves in the third tier of the Nations League and made a positive start with a 2-0 home win over Albania to put them top of the group.
Next up, they travel to Israel, who lost 1-0 to Albania in their opening game, on Thursday evening.
That is their only competitive fixture this time around, with a trip to Albania and the home match with Israel lying in store next month as they try and reach League B.
