Max Rushden and co review Northern Ireland’s heartbreak, the other play-off first legs and wonder who will round off the final 32 for Russia 2018

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It’s a World Cup play-off edition as Max Rushden, Barry Glendenning, Marcela Mora y Aurajo and Gregg Bakowski assess the remaining runners and riders for Russia 2018.

The race may be over for Northern Ireland after their controversial aggregate defeat to Switzerland but it’s game on for the Republic of Ireland, who welcome Denmark to Dublin after managing a goalless draw in Copenhagen. Sweden bid to do the previously unthinkable and deny Italy a place in this summer’s tournament, while New Zealand go to Peru on level terms – will they be able to beat them on their own turf? And would such an achievement merit the release of another official DVD?

Join us again on Thursday!

PS: the last few tickets are still available for our first Football Weekly Live show of the year. It takes place on Thursday 14 December at the Emmanuel Centre in London. Max will be joined by Barry, Barney Ronay and Jonathan Wilson, with other special guests to be confirmed. Find more information and buy tickets here.

PPS: The good people at the Football Supporters’ Federation have announced the shortlists for their annual awards beano in that there Big London and Football Weekly have been lucky enough to be nominated for Best Podcast once again. Competition is stiff, so we’d really appreciate your support. Voting takes less than a minute and while you’re there, you might also consider voting for The Guardian as Best Newspaper, Jonathan Wilson as Best Writer (he assures us that awards, unlike goals, are not over-rated) and David Squires in the Online Media category. Vote early by clicking on this link.