SAN MARINO are possibly the worst footballing nation in the world – so that's good news for Alex McLeish.
Because right now Scotland are licking their wounds after the most humiliating result in their history.
Tomorrow's Euro 2020 qualifier isn't about who'll win but simply about how many Scotland will score – and that may come as a surprise after out boot in the Borats.
But look at the facts. The minnows have lost 27 games in a row – that's San Marino not us – and netted just one goal in their 16 … against Azerbaijan in a 5-1 defeat 18 months ago.
And hours after our annihilation in Astana Cyprus were dealing out a 5-0 trouncing to the Group I whipping boys. Again that's San Marino.
And if you still don't believe me – look at the price on San Marino with BetVictor offering 70-1. A draw is 24-1 at Marathonbet and Scotland are no bigger than 1-20 at boylesports.
McLeish was badly hit by injuries and no-shows but is boosted by the return of skipper Andy Robertson as well Callum Paterson and Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser.
Robbo and Fraser are welcome additions but who McLeish will go with up top is anyone's guess – Oli Burke or Marc McNulty must be favourites but how badly are we missing Leigh Griffiths.
Fraser's enjoyed a stellar season in the Premiership and his assist stats were recently compared to Eden Hazard and Lionel Messi.
He netted in Albania and is 6-1 with Paddy Power to open the scoring tomorrow and 13-10 with Ladbrokes to net at any time.
Scotland have played San Marino away three times and won all of them 2-0. Another 2-0, while not great, might be what we settle for and pays 7-1 at Betfred.
To be honest we should be looking to win by three or four but confidence is fragile and strikers in short supply.
Scotland -2 pays 4-9 at McBookie, minus three is 23-20 and minus four 12-5.
With prices so short it's difficult to find a decent bet but I like Scotland to win to nil on an acca. It pays 4-9 at McBookie – and remember San Marino have scored one goal in 16 so even we should be confident about a clean sheet.
If you reckon we'll concede both teams to score pays 10-3 with bet365.
Group I favourites Belgium started with a 3-1 win against Russia and Eden Hazard was the star of the show with a double.
The Belgians should get it easy in Cyprus and are no bigger than 1-6. It was 3-0 on their last visit to Valletta and I'm happy to take them minus one at and take Chelsea star Hazard to score first at 8-15 with Paddy Power and Hazard to score first at 16-5 with William Hill.
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Kazakhstan v Russia is the other Group I game and we'll get to see how good (or bad) the home side really are. There's no way a well-organised Russian outfit will make the same basic mistakes us and I'm backing them at 9-10 with Marathonbet.
Today's games include Spain v Norway, Italy v Finland and Gibraltar v Republic of Ireland and I can't see any shocks there.
The Irish are a similar price to Scotland and again best bet could be Mick McCarthy's side to win to nil at 4-11 with Paddy Power.
Spain -1 and a straight win for Italy added to Scotland to win to nil makes a nice Euro 2020 treble at 9-5 with Paddy Power.
Recommended Bets
- Scotland to win to nil (Sun, 5pm)
- Russia (Sun, 2pm)
- Hazard to score first (Sun, 7.45pm)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
I wouldnt touch scotland with monopoly money.
A total embarrassment the other nite.
Big eck was any man at all he would have walked.
I’m even considering supporting England its got that bad,
@David-footystats,Wouldnt even consider that if they were last team in existance.Considering 23/10 on San Marino to score though.
Might even put a few shillings on them to score 2 & 18/1
Scotland to score 5+
Scotland to score a penalty