Ninis injury blow for Greece

Ninis sustained serious knee ligament damage after scoring the decisive goal in last week's 1-0 win over Israel and is expected to be sidelined for six months.

The 21-year-old's strike on the hour earned the Greeks three points from the clash in Tel Aviv to maintain a one-point lead at the pool summit.

Another away win would guarantee at least a runners-up berth, and Greece coach Fernando Santos urged his team to pick up another three points to ensure their hard work in Israel was not in vain.

"It was an important win for us, but it will mean nothing if we fail to win against Latvia," the Portuguese said.

"Our win dented Israel's chances, but their chances have not disappeared totally."

Greece's two rivals for top spot, Croatia and Israel, go head to head in Zagreb with the visitor knowing failure to win would spell the end of its hopes of reaching Poland and Ukraine.

The Israelis head into their penultimate qualifier four points behind Greece and three adrift of second-placed Croatia - with inferior head-to-head records against both, although that could change against the latter.

Israel will be without midfield duo Almog Cohen and Bebras Nacho through suspension.

Despite the setback against Greece, Luis Fernandez remains proud of his players.

"We have many young players and we're getting somewhere," he said. "When there is a new generation developing around the old, the new have to learn.

"We lacked a goal and were unable to find a solution to it. But I'm not disappointed in the players. The players never let me down and I'm always proud of them."

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic is confident his side can overtake Greece at the summit despite trailing with three games to go.

"I think we can win [tomorrow] and then win against Greece away [next month]," he said, before warning that Israel should not be under-estimated.

"They are motivated. They want to make amends for the defeat against Greece."

Also in Group F, Malta will be looking to pick up its first points of the campaign when it takes on fourth-placed Georgia in Ta' Qali.