PORTUGAL, ITALY ON BRINK OF Q-FINALS

France tipped to progress but Mbappe will miss high-risk Nations League clash in Paris

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France, Italy and Portugal lead the teams attempting to secure a place in the Nations League quarter-finals, while England's promotion hopes have been hit by a series of withdrawals.

With European champions Spain and Germany already qualified for the last eight, six spots are still to be filled going into the final two rounds of group matches over the next week.

Unbeaten Italy and Portugal are favourites to advance, while France are well-positioned too ahead of the visit of Israel on Nov 14 - a game that will be played surrounded by a large police presence.

The Paris fixture takes place a week after clashes in Amsterdam around a Europa League match between Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dutch team Ajax Amsterdam.

Israel have urged fans to avoid the Nations League tie over fears they could be targeted amid a tide of rising anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim abuse since the start of Israel's war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

"I can understand why people don't want to come," said France defender Dayot Upamecano. "It's their choice.

"I'm just here to play. I like peace and I hope one day (we) will have it again, in all countries."