SCOTLAND are capable of shocking the world – but against Russia we were just shocking.
I tipped us to lose and a 2-1 defeat at Hampden flattered us and we're heading for another against Belgium.
The Belgians are rated the world's best – although they probably aren't – and I can't see anything but a loss when they visit Hampden.
Steve Clarke is running out of options up front and in defence and it's only in midfield where Scotland seem to be strong.
Belgian star Youri Tielemans has compared us with San Marino but we're unlikely to keep to clean for 43 minutes as the minnows did.
Scotland are as big as 8-1 at bet365 to win Belgium likely to be popular on accas at 4-9 with Coral.
I didn't take any positives from the Russia crash but two things give the Scots a sliver of hope. Firstly, the fact Belgium took so long to break down San Marino suggests they are badly missing Eden Hazard – and secondly we can't get much worse.
If Roberto Martinez's men are in the mood it could be a rout but I'll stick with Belgium -1 at 6-5 with McBookie. We've lost 3-0 and 4-0 to the Belgians this year.
Scotland scored first against Russia and are 13-5 with McBookie to do so again while just to net we are 5-6.
Romelu Lukaku, rested against San Marino, hurt us in Brussels with a double and is a confirmed starter after being one of the stars rested against San Marino. He is 16-5 at Betway to score first.
I can't pick a Scots scorer but Ryan Christie should start after impressing as a sub against Russia and is 9-1 at Unibet to hit the target.
Elsewhere in Group I back Russia -1 to beat Kazakhstan at around at 1-2 with Ladbrokes to virtually seal their finals place. Artem Dzyuba impressed against the Scots and is 13-5 at bet365 to break the deadlock.
In Group C leaders Northern Ireland entertain second-placed Germany and Michael O'Neill's men will be desperate to maintain their 100 per cent record against a side that's in rebuild mode and suffered a 4-2 defeat at home to Holland on Saturday.
The Irish have taken advantage of the fact they have yet to play the Dutch or Germans so this will be a massive test. Joachim Low's likely to make changes after terrible defending by his side and I can't see anything but a Germany win after seven straight success against the Irish.
Again Germany at 3-10 with Ladbrokes will tempt punters doing accas while they are 5-6 with Ladbrokes and William Hill to win by two or more but the Irish won't make this easy for a team whose confidence is fragile. If you fancy a scorer with until line-ups are confirmed.
Holland head to Estonia and should win with little trouble. The Dutch are no bigger than 1-14 so for any kind of price you have to look at -2 at 4-6 with Ladbrokes. Estonia have lost all four and conceded 14 times.
In Group E the top two are in action with Croatia travelling to Azerbaijan and Hungary at home to Slovakia. Croatia won 4-0 in Slovakia on Saturday and are just 1-4 to win. Azerbaijan sit bottom with no points so Croatia should be fine -1 at 5-6 with Betway.
Hungary lost 2-0 in Slovakia but should gain revenge in Budapest and stay on track for the final. They are as big as 7-5 with the likes of bet365 to make it four qualifying wins in a row.
Poland will take a giant step to the finals if they can beat nearest rivals Austria in Group G. The Poles were stunned 2-0 in Slovenia but should be much better at home and will as usual look to Robert Lewandowski to get the job done.
I like the look of the Bayern Munich star to score first at 3-1 with bet365 and Austria also have a striker in form in the shape of Marko Arnautovic who hit two against Latvia. Decent chance of both scoring at 10-11 with William Hill.
Recommended Bets
- Lukaku to score first
- Belgium -1
- Russia -1
- Dzyuba to score first
- Germany
- Holland -2
- Croatia -1
- Hungary
- Lewandowski to score first
- Poland v Austria btts
In December 2020 we sadly 
