Scotland V Russia
Friday 6th September 2019 – 19:45 Kick-Off
UEFA Euro 2020 Qualification
Pick: Scotland to Win
Odds: 19/10
Bookmaker: Bet365
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/5 | 41/20 | 33/20 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 3rd September 2019 at 18:45)
Preview: With Belgium already looking untouchable, Group I has become all about who of the remaining teams can finish best of the rest and secure a runners-up spot that would earn them qualification into next summer’s European Championship. The onus will be on Scotland however, who trail Russia in second place by three points ahead of this hugely significant clash at Hampden Park in Glasgow.
Euro 2020 Qualifying Betting – 22Bet
Scotland Preview – The only acceptable outcome is victory?
The magnitude of this fixture will not be lost on Scotland. Lose at home to Russia, who have amassed three more points than Steve Clarke’s team and are the current occupants of second place in Group I, and it would spell disaster for The Tartan Army and their hopes of qualifying for a first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France. Even a draw would be less than ideal.
Victory in this game is bordering on imperative for Scotland. That shocking – and somewhat humiliating – 3-0 loss in Kazakhstan first time out has meant they have been playing catch up on their rivals from the get go. Their response wasn’t entirely convincing either, following up with a nervy win away to San Marino (0-2) before needing a late winner from Oliver Burke to secure maximum points at home to Cyprus (2-1).
If they were back onto something resembling the right path, a comprehensive 3-0 loss in Belgium last time out scuppered that. The margin for error simply isn’t there any more. However, three wins from their previous four home internationals, versus Albania (2-0), Israel (3-2) and Cyprus (2-1), suggests they are capable of registering what would be a massive victory and one that would earn them a share of second spot.
Moreover, in the last qualifying campaign, which was for the 2018 World Cup, The Scots – then under different management – went the entirety without losing at home (W3 D2). One of those being a 2-2 draw with England that was so nearly a memorable victory. Games against Slovenia and Slovakia in that campaign were not too dissimilar to this clash with Russia, up against their main competitors for second spot in the group; Scotland would record 1-0 wins over the pair of them.
Russia Preview – Russians to maintain push for runners-up spot?
The hosts of last summer’s FIFA World Cup responded well to losing their opening game of Euro 2020 Qualifying. Losing 3-1 in Belgium will have been disappointing but not entirely unexpected, with the Belgians favourites to top Group I before the campaign got underway. The Russians, though, recovered well to that early setback by recording successive wins over Kazakhstan (0-4), San Marino (9-0) and Crypus (1-0).
It means ahead of making the long trip to Scotland to tackle a side who would appear the most likely to challenge them for runners-up in the section, Russia are the current occupants of second position and boast a three point cushion over those in pursuit. There will be less pressure on them to secure victory as a result but were they to pick up another set of three points here, it would all but eliminate the Scots from contention and would be a huge step towards securing qualification.
However, only three wins in their previous thirteen internationals as the visiting side (W3 D3 L7) hardly bodes well. Since the start of 2018 (W2 L4), their only triumphs on the road were that aforementioned success in Kazakhstan and a 2-1 victory in Turkey during the Nations League tournament, losing without scoring in Austria (1-0), Germany (3-0) and Sweden (3-0). So improvements are needed in Scotland if Russia are to secure a positive outcome.
Scotland V Russia Key Facts:
- Scotland have not lost any of their past nine home international games (W6 D3).
- Russia have won only two of their last six away matches (W2 L4).
- These countries have only met twice before, with both meetings producing draws.
Betting Summary
This is the closest thing to a must win encounter for Scotland. Three points adrift of second place at the start of play, defeat here would be a devastating blow to any lingering hopes they have of qualifying for next summer’s European Championship. Their performances so far in this group have not convinced, securing narrow wins against San Marino and Cyprus but losing to Belgium and, somehow, Kazakhstan. Though they are currently nine games unbeaten at home (W6 D3).
Even defeat wouldn’t quite be disastrous for Russia, who could open up a six point gap over Scotland should they secure a fourth consecutive win of the campaign here. A 3-1 defeat in Belgium has been their only setback to date, recording ‘to nil’ wins over Cyprus (1-0), Kazakhstan (0-4) and San Marino (9-0). Yet their record away from home is far from the best; only two wins from six away internationals in the past two years.
This is huge for the hosts, with Scotland knowing victory at Hampden Park is their best chance of clawing themselves back into contention for a top two finish. Anything less would leave them probably needing to beat Russia in their own backyard. In 2018 World Cup Qualifying, Scotland were a different animal at home (W3 D2), almost beating England but securing important wins against Slovakia and Slovenia (both by 1-0 scorelines). The Scots are a decent price for a repeat.
