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Scotland suffer Scott Brown injury blow
Scotland face the first of a must-win double-header on Thursday when meeting Slovakia. There's good and bad news for members of the Tartan Army. Good - they enjoy home advantage against a side coming in on the back of a loss. Three points would move them into the all-important second place, with rivals for the silver medal, Slovenia, off to Wembley. If Scotland and England both win, they'll be sitting pretty. Bad - Gordan Strachan's resurgent Scots must do the job without influential midfielder Scott Brown.
The Celtic legend led his side to a domestic treble last season, and played a key role in that stunning Champions League win over Anderlecht last month. The 32-year-old broke down on 70 minutes at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium with a hamstring injury. An example of just how important 'Broony' is to club and country came in Celtic's next outing, the champions stumbling to a 2-2 finish vs Hibs at Celtic Park in his absence. He'll be joined on the missing list by teammate Stuart Armstrong, the latter sidelined with a calf knock.
A bitter pill to swallow, but Scotland must make do and believe those who line-up are good enough to take this qualifying campaign down to the final game - away to Slovenia. Two wins would see Scotland qualify, anything less and they'll miss out on yet another major international tournament. Another Celtic regular, Leigh Griffiths, will be asked to score the goals needed to fire his country to the World Cup. He netted against Rangers at Ibrox last month, and who could forget that quick-fire double vs England? The 27-year-old from Edinburgh can be backed at 7/2 to score first, or 7/5 anytime, both prices available on the Sportsbook.
Slovakia make their first visit to Glasgow
If Slovakia miss out on a trip to Russia it won't be through a lack of effort. Jan Kozak's side go into game nine second in Group F, five points behind England, who have pulled clear this year, and only a point ahead of both Scotland and Slovenia. At present, any one of four sides could win the pool, but the Three Lions look to be home and hosed, leaving a three-horse race for second.
Slovakia have won five and lost three of their first eight, meaning we can put a line through the draw at 3.30. An impressive winning run came to halt last time when going down to England by the odd goal in three at Wembley. The Falcons took the lead that night, Lobotka scoring inside three minutes to stun home fans, but a fightback, led by Dier and Rashford, turned the game on its head, throwing Scotland a lifeline in the process.
This will be Slovakia's first visit to Glasgow, but they can take plenty of heart from the one previous meeting between the nations, easing to a 3-0 home win at the Stadion Antona Malatinskeho 12 months ago. Robert Mak scored a double, boosted by a third from Adam Nemec. The former to net again is 3/1 on the sportsbook in the anytime scorer field. A win to nil can be had at 5.30.
Strachan's dreamers unbeaten in four
Strachan's side are very different to the one that went down with a whimper in this tie last year. They're unbeaten in four - three wins and a draw - the spare in that run being a 2-2 level finish vs England at this venue.
It's worth remembering that the Scots came agonisingly close to banking a maximum pay-out that night and, barring an injury-time goal from Harry Kane, could be going into this decider showing 12 points from the last dozen available. It's therefore, no surprise to see a home win go as favourite on the Exchange, currently trading at 2.50.
Let's not forget this is also a must-win for Slovakia. Lose and their hard work to date could all be for nothing. Get the desired result and they'll see their campaign move to the next phase, certainly if Slovenia fail to beat England. Their opponents have to win two matches to overthrow them, SVK need only win in Glasgow to complete the mission, before hosting Malta. Slovakia to win on Thursday is 3.30 on the Exchange, and expect that to attract plenty of attention.
A battle fought in midfield
We saw three goals scored when these sides last met. We also saw three goals in Slovakia's trip to Wembley, in that 2-1 England win. Scotland rattled three past Lithuania last month on a night that breathed new life into their challenge. They then beat Malta 2-0 on their most recent outing, Berra and Griffiths on the scoresheet, but there was a feeling they took their foot off the gas when in front, happy with the points.
This promises to be a nervy occasion, with both managers knowing the dangers of defeat. Winning is important, avoiding defeat equally so. Two sides with bags of confidence and goals throughout the team, but this will be a battle fought out in the midfield, and that's where Scotland will miss Scott Brown. under 2.5 goals is 1.63, and we'd favour that against over 2.5 at 2.42.
Recommended Bets
Under 2.5 goals @ 1.63
Scotland win @ 2.50
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