San Marino v Scotland
Sunday 24th March 1700hrs
Football – International – European Championship Qualifying
Pick Forrest to score anytime
Bookmaker Coral
Odds: 23/20 (odds taken 17.45 GMT, Saturday 23rd March)
As starts to qualification campaigns go, it could not have been worse for Scotland on Thursday when losing heavily in Kazakhstan and they will be looking to get their first points on the board with a minimum of fuss away to San Marino on Sunday.
European Championship Qualifying Betting at Coral
San Marino Preview
San Marino are the lowest FIFA ranked team and it’s no surprise when you look their record. A country of around 33000 people is always likely to struggle and that’s certainly been their experience in international football. Thursday’s 5-0 defeat in Cyprus is about par for the course and their 28th straight defeat. They have scored only four goals in that time and in all likelihood, we’re not going to see too much different in this campaign. Their last points in a qualifying section was back in 2014 when drawing 0-0 at home to Estonia whilst they have only ever won one full international match – that being a 1-0 win in a friendly against Liechtenstein, a full 15 years ago now. For their coach Franco Varrella and his players, it’s all about damage limitation – something they were unable to do on Thursday against the Cypriots with that being their biggest defeat in six games. It does not really get much better in terms of their home form either but there will be some hope that they can perform better than they managed in their first game of this section against a Scotland team who will themselves be struggling for confidence.
Key-Facts – San Marino v Scotland
- San Marino are the lowest ranked nation and have last their last 28 games
- Scotland’s campaign got off to the worst possible start with a 3-0 loss away to Kazakhstan
- James Forrest has scored 15 goals for Celtic this season and five goals in his last three Scotland appearances
Scotland Preview
Alex McLeish was not an overwhelmingly popular choice to take over as Scotland manager and in the year or so he’s been in charge, the appointment is looking less and less like one that is going to work out long term. Scotland’s 3-0 loss away to Kazakhstan on Thursday is arguably their worst ever result when put into context. Bearing in mind this was a game against the 117th FIFA ranked nation, it was a perfect opportunity for McLeish to lead his team to three points in what is going to be a testing section with Russia and Belgium favourites for the top two positions. For his team to churn out a performance like that is as bad as it gets and already makes qualifying an extremely unlikely event. McLeish will point to Scotland finishing top of their UEFA Nations League group which ensures they will have a playoff spot for the European Championships regardless of what happens in this section. But that is papering over the cracks. The UNL campaign included a dire performance in Israel and there was a touch of fortune in their final group game against that opponent to see them progress. The doubters have been out for McLeish since returning to take over as manager and regardless of what happens on Sunday, those doubts will remain for a while yet.
San Marino v Scotland Betting Advice
If there was one game you could handpick to get back on track following a humiliating defeat of your own, it would be San Marino. It is the only remotely positive thing for McLeish and his Scotland players to focus on follow their disaster in Astana and one they simply have to take advantage of. The Scots will be able to recall a number of players who were suspiciously injured for the long trip to Kazakhstan and to play on a plastic surface – all of whom ply their trade in the English Premier League. That will be a boost at least but whoever is picked to start will be under no illusions that a win – and a comprehensive one at that – is a must to get their campaign started.
Motivation levels will be especially high amongst the Scottish squad for this one and although they are not blessed with a litany of top players, they ones they do have are miles ahead of San Marino which should lead to this being a long night for the hosts. In a game I expect there to be a number of goals, I always consider the anytime goalscoring markets and James Forrest is Scotland’s brightest attacking force. The Celtic winger has scored 15 goals for his club this season and five in his last three internationals. He looks value to notch again.
