With a 5 point cushion at the top of UEFA World Cup qualifying Group F, it is unlikely England are going to surrender their place and they should qualify automatically for the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.
However, there are three teams below them who still believe they can make it through the playoffs and two of those teams meet on Thursday night.
Scotland welcome Slovakia to Hampden Park knowing they need a win to have any realistic chance of qualifying for the playoffs in second place. Slovakia currently occupy that position with 15 points, one point more than their hosts and this could be a very dramatic game.
UEFA World Cup Qualification Group F – Scotland vs Slovakia – Hampden Park, Glasgow – Thursday 5 October 2017 19.45 GMT
|
Draw Best Odd of: 9/4 at Ladbrokes |
|
Scotland
SlovakiaScotland Form
Having struggled at the start of 2018 World Cup qualifying, Scotland have turned things around and given themselves a chance of making it to Russia.
Scotland defeated Malta 5-1 away from home in their first game but were then held 1-1 at home by Lithuania. They were then defeated 3-0 in Slovakia, which was a very disappointing result and this was followed up with a 3-0 defeat in England.
However, Scotland have since remained undefeated in the group and have picked up 10 points from the last 12 available. They beat Slovenia at home, Lithuania away and Malta at home. Scotland also picked up a point at home against England, having come close to taking all 3 points.
Scotland will be hoping their home form, which seen them remain unbeaten in their last 5 games, will see them through.
Slovakia Form
Slovakia gave a good account of themselves at Wembley in their previous World Cup qualifying fixture but ultimately lost the match 2-1 to England.
Prior to that defeat, Slovakia were on a run of 5 wins in Group F having defeated Scotland, Lithuania and Slovenia at home and Malta and Lithuania away from home.
Slovakia have picked up 6 points from a possible 12 away from home in the group and are yet to keep a clean sheet. However, they have scored in their last 3 away games, including a goal at Wembley and will fancy their chances of finding the back of the net in this one.
Team News
Scotland will be without Newcastle United midfielder Matt Ritchie who has been forced to withdraw from the squad following their match against Liverpool on Sunday. The hosts will also be without Celtic stars Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong who are both injured.
Slovakia will be without Inter Milan central defender Milan Skriniar, who is suspended for this game. Marek Hamsik will captain the team and along with Robert Mak will provide the greatest goal threat from midfield, with Adam Nemec expected to start up-front.
Top Betting Tips
Given their comfortable win in the reverse fixture, Slovakia will fancy their chances in this one but despite the withdrawals, Scotland have shown enough in recent games to suggest they can get something from this match. The draw is 2/1 with Ladbrokes.
Slovakia scored in their previous away match in England and have netted in each of their last 3 away games, which suggests they could score in this one. The draw and both teams to score is 7/2 with Ladbrokes.
Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths has scored 3 goals in his last 2 home World Cup qualifying games for Scotland and is the joint top scorer in this group. You can get 2/1 with Ladbrokes for Griffiths to score at any time.