5 things to watch out for in the final month of UEFA qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

#3 Memphis Depay destined to be the top-scorer?

Depay has the highest goal contribution of any European player with 15.

Memphis Depay has undoubtedly been the star of the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers in the UEFA zone. He has scored more goals (9) and made more assists (6) than anyone else.

However, with only two more games remaining, can he still finish as the top-scorer? He could score against Montenegro, but Norway have had a stiff defensive line.

The usual suspects, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski, are on five goals apiece. So they will have to produce something remarkable to catch up with the Barcelona striker.

Depay's biggest competition, though, has come from Israel's Eran Zahavi, who's just one goal behind him. Zahavi will look to add to his tally against the Faroe Islands and Austria.

Should any of these sides (Netherlands, Israel, Portugal and Poland) come second, the said players will have a few more opportunities to add to their tallies in the playoffs.

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#2 Spain, Croatia under pressure

La Roja are competing with Sweden for a direct qualification spot.

Former FIFA World Cup winners Spain, too, are facing a daunting home stretch in their qualifying campaign, as they face Greece and Sweden.

The Blagult are currently leading Group B with 15 points, two more than La Roja, whom they face on the final day after their challenging trip to Greece.

Greece, the Euro 2004 winners, are in third place with nine points and play both their games this month at home. Their other game will be against the already-eliminated Kosovo.

Over in Group H, Croatia are in a similar situation, with Russia currently leading the race for a direct World Cup spot with 19 points. They have two more points than the 2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up.

Interestingly, Croatia and Russia will meet on the last matchday. Should Russia beat Cyprus and Croatia overcome Malta this week, that will set-up a mouth-watering finale.

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#1 Italy, Netherlands on the cusp of returning to the World Cup fold

Italy and the Netherlands are looking to return to the World Cup fold after missing out in 2018.

Italy and the Netherlands were two of the biggest absentees from Europe in the last FIFA World Cup.

The Azzurri failed to qualify for the quadrennial tournament for the first time since 1958. They have revived themselves under Roberto Mancini, who steered them to Euro 2020 glory earlier this year.

They're level on points with Switzerland in Group C. With the two neighbours meeting on Friday, which is likely going to be an enticing clash, the winner will also win the group.

Should they draw, Italy will lead the Swiss. But they will then need to beat Northern Ireland away on the final day, with La Nati playing at home against Bulgaria.

The Netherlands will have to go through a similar situation against the second-placed team in their group, Norway. The two teams meet next week on the final matchday.

Only a victory will do for Ering Halaand and co. as they trail the Oranje by three points. Meanwhile, defeat in Amsterdam will open up an opportunity for Turkey to sneak into the World Cup playoffs.