Armenia is almost surely out of the Euro 2008 Qualifying race and their remaining matches are set to be mere formalities. The same could be said of Kazakhstan although they are more favorably placed than the bottom team. In a group that has Portugal, Poland and Serbia, it is always tough to compete and if the initial results go against you, teams could be left in the lurch as has happened to both Kazakhstan and Armenia.

Kazakhstan did beat Serbia 2-1 in their last outing thanks to splendid goals by Kairat Ashirbekov and Nurbol Zhumaskaliyev. Egged on by a vociferous home crowd, the Kazakh team registered their first competitive win ever since they were admitted into UEFA.

Coach Arno Pijpers has elected to maintain the same squad for the two games against Armenia and Azerbaijan although 26-year-old FC Ordabasy Shymkent defender Sergey Kozulin has a chance to make a competitive debut. Kozulin has already played in several friendlies, but is yet to appear in competitive matches for his country. The rest of the squad remains the same.

Armenia are in a catch 22 situation at present. On their way out of the qualifying competition, their last game was a heartbreaking one. Maciej Żurawski's lone moment of brilliance was enough to hand the Poles a 1-0 win against Armenia, who battled gamely in that match.

However injuries have hurt the squad and Armenia coach Ian Porterfield has elected to include FC Ararat defender Vahagn Minasyan and FC Banants defender Ararat Arakelyan. Romik Khachatryan and Levon Pachajyan are suspended, while Karen Aleksanyan in injured.