SCOTLAND head into this Nations League clash with Slovakia riding a wave of euphoria after Thursday's epic shoot-out win over Serbia booked their place at the Euro 2020 finals.
That triumph (below) made it nine games unbeaten for Steve Clarke's men and parties will still be raging in some parts of the country after the end of a 22-year exile from major tournaments.
But Clarke will make sure his players are focused on this game as he knows just important the Nations League can be, with Scotland topping their section last time out to book a place in the Euro play-offs.
They are well placed to do so again, leading the Czech Republic by four points with two games to play, so one more win against the Slovaks would finish the job.
It's only natural to expect some kind of comedown from the Scots after the emotion of Thursday night and a draining 120 minutes but the same thing applies to the team they will face in Trnava.
Slovakia overcame Northern Ireland in extra-time to book their spot at the Euro finals so they're in the same situation and might see this game as an irrelevance given they are bottom of the group and out of contention.
How the bookies view it
Slovakia are 17/10 with McBookie but I'd steer clear of backing them because they have nothing to play for. Patriotic punters will fancy a flutter on the Scots at 13/8 with the same firm yet I'm more drawn to the stalemate at 9-4.
Form guide
Scotland are on a roll with the Serbian triumph making it nine games unbeaten since a 4-0 loss in Russia back in October 2019. In the Nations League they have collected three wins and a draw.
Slovakia beat both Irish sides in the Euro play-offs to qualify for the finals but their Nations League form has been dismal. They have collected just one point and prop up the section.
Players to watch
Both managers should make changes after those draining play-off battles. Oli McBurnie may replace Lyndon Dykes up top and is 5/2 with 888Sport for a goal but I'm more drawn to midfielder Stuart Armstrong at 18/5 with the same firm.
Michal Duris came off the bench to hit Slovakia's winner against Northern Ireland and could get the nod to start here. He's 13/5 with Paddy Power for anytime scorer.
Anything else catch the eye?
I cashed in by backing the score to be level at half-time in Belgrade on Thursday and a repeat appeals here at 11/10 with Bet365. Chances were thin on the ground when these sides faced off at Hampden, helping another of my bets to land, and Clarke has made the Scots so hard to break down.
That makes under 2.5 goals a good option at 4/5 with McBookie while the odds increase to 23/10 for under 1.5 strikes. Betting against both teams scoring could also pay off and it's 11/10 at 10Bet just now, with all other firms pricing it odds-on.
This UEFA Nations League match between Slovakia and Scotland will be played on Nov 15, 2020 and kick off at 14:00. Check below for our tipsters best Slovakia vs Scotland prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
