Scotland v Georgia Betting Tip 1 – Saturday 11 October

Euro Qualifiers Tips

Scotland v Georgia

Scotland turned in a brave performance in their opening Euro 2016 Qualifying group, going down 2-1 to World Champions Germany in Dortmund. They know that if they are to make their first major tournament since 1998 that it will be the games against the other sides in the group which will determine their fate. The first of a crucial double header see’s them host Georgia. A home win is vital if they are to stake their claim for the runners up spot, behind the Germans who you would expect to top the group.

Georgia also suffered a 2-1 defeat in their open game of qualification, going down to the Republic of Ireland at home. They looked destined to gain a deserved draw before losing a late goal but, like this weekend’s opponents, they too can take some solace from their performance. They know they have to improve their form away from home if they are to be successful in this campaign as they are currently on a run of 21 competitive away games without a win. It’s a horrendous run of form, even taking into account the size of the country. They’ve only ever travelled to face Scotland once before, going down 2-1 in 2007.

Having taken over from Craig Levein in January 2013, Gordon Strachan has won three and loss four in competitive action. There looks to be a greater coherence amongst the squad since he took over which is why Scottish fans have been more optimistic about their chances this time around. Due to the expansion of the European Championships, teams can finish third in their group and still qualify for the finals. In such a tightly contested section, there will be no room for errors as Scotland prepare for their first home game of the campaign.

Having gone over eight years without picking up a win away from home in competition, you can expect Georgia to be a little cagey in their approach, as they have been for the majority of Temuri Ketsbaia’s near five year reign. Although winless away from home in the games that matter, they did record a morale boosting 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia in May of this year – what they would give for a similar result on Saturday.

It’s a big game for Strachan and his Scotland game as they look to take the positives from their performance in Germany and get their first points of this qualification campaign. Georgia are likely to prove stubborn opponents but if Scotland can get an early goal then it should prove to be a comfortable enough game ahead of a more difficult tie in Poland on Tuesday.

Scotland 8/11 @ Betfred