WALES, England, Northern Ireland … but sadly no Scotland. Euro 2016 will be an unforgettable event for almost all of the British Isles apart from the most northern part.
I'd been eyeing another trip to France having not been at a finals since World Cup 98 but furthest I'll get now could be Fraserburgh.
Scotland's Sunday tie away to Gibraltar is more than meaningless and boss Gordon Strachan is trying to put a positive spin on things.
He's lost players such as Leigh Griffiths, Jordan Rhodes and James McArthur so fringe men including Graham Dorrans, Johnny Russell and Chris Martin could start along with No.2 keeper Craig Gordon and central defenders Gordon Greer and Christophe Berra. Maybe Berra's in because he's half French and that's the closest we're going to get.
Steven Fletcher has made the trip and after goals in his last two and a hat-trick against Gibraltar at Hampden he'll fancy his chances but only back him if he's a confirmed starter.
Scotland may be out but they'll want to put on a show for the Tartan Army footsoldiers heading to Faro and there will be an estimated 12,000 in the ground. Unfortuntaly there will be no Far-tale finish but these boys though have a great knack of turning a wake into a party.
The Scots are of course unbackable at 1-25 at William Hill so how many will they win by?
It was 6-1 at Hampden while the minnows have conceded 50 in their nine qualifiers so a four or five-goal win should be the minimum requirement even with a shadow side.
Scotland minus four looks a good shout at 9-5 with Coral but I'm happy to be on minus three 5-6 with McBookie.
Gibraltar netted at Hampden and in Warsaw and are 13-5 with sportingbet to score against a side whose defence at times is leakier than a 5p polybag. Both teams to score is the same price.
Elsewhere in Group D all eyes except ours will be on Poland v Ireland. The Irish need a win or scoring draw higher than 1-1 to qualify automatically.
I think it will be tight but that man Robert L****dowski could be the difference. For obvious reasons I refused to back him on Thursday but that's 14 goals in five games for club and country – even though his last was the scrappiest and luckiest of his career.
L****dowski is 10-3 at William Hill to net first and 1-1 to score at any time. With the Irish needing to net both teams to score at 1-1 with Ladbrokes is a shout.
Germany let down Scotland with their sloppy Dublin display but it's payback time. Let's make some money of the Germans who will clinch top spot with a home gubbing of Georgia.
Joachim Low's men are no bigger than 1-16 at Ladbrokes so again we turn to the handicaps. It was 2-0 to the world champions in Tbilisi and they should at least match that. Germany minus two pays 8-13 at Paddy Power.
If Sod's Law is playing its hand Thomas Muller will score first at 18-5 with 888sport after missing a sitter in Dublin that would have kept us alive (just).
Recommended Bets
Scotland -3
(5-6, McBookie)
L****dowski to score
(1-1, William Hill)
Germany -2
(8-13, Paddy Power)
Muller to score first
(18-5, 888sport)
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.
Gibraltar v Scotland [draw] 28/1 @ bet365 is great value considering the fact that the Scots have no chance of qualification and have yet to win on the road in this campaign.
MoneyBags, no chance of the draw – Scotland were unlucky against Poland remeber and Gibraltar don’t have a Leandowski – I don’t even think they have an Owski.
Gibraltar haven’t been able to live with anyone in this group.
I’ll tell you now if you back that and it comes in I’ll give you the £50 Line of the Week prize in the Record.
Last week’s winner has put his £50 on Gibraltar 1, Scotland 5.
Germany -2
Scotland -3
Lewandowski anytime
Germany (over 1.5 TG). Poland (over 1.5 TG). Gilbralter vs. Scotland (BTTS).
Scotland to score a penalty 9/4 bet 365
Whilst I dont know exactly how man pens Gibraltar have given away in qualifying from memory it does seem to be almost every game
7 penalties in 9 qualifiers 2 of those in first tie against scotland
I like that bet Sean…lways back Gibralatar and San Marino to concede a penalty.
Germany over 2.5 goals and both teams to score.No
6/5
Scotland over 2.5 goals and both teams to score No
10/11
double pays over 3-1
Worth a punt !!
“…leakier than a 5p polybag”
“…maybe he’s in because he’s half French and that’s the closest we’re going to get”
Terrific humour despite still hurting about Scotland.
Thanks for the chuckle, MrF.
stagger, will be hurting all the way to Russia if we get there.
Gg1a what bookie is that with cant see it
Can see Scotland covering the -4 and -5 handicaps today. The players will be hurting and I reckon they might take it out on poor Gibraltar.
Scotland -3
Evens
Betfair
(Main Bet)
Scotland -4
11/5
Bet Victor
(Medium Stake)
Scotland -5
9/2
Coral
(Small Stake)
mr f that reply comment you made to money bags caused me to spit my tea all over the floor :P
365 gary m
Cheers eye on the prize I knew it was almost an average of 1 a game. Yeah craigyboy it does seem to happen a lot with those teams. I’m on an og to be scored as well. 7/1. Scotland have had 3 scored for them and Gibraltar scored a couple as well
Fletcher, muller, lowendowski . 1st scorers. 1 trenle and 3 doubles. And a treble anytime scorers.
Ta gg1a that’s a great value bet ,on ta
Anytime treble up . Happy with that profit is name of the game .
Had a couple of quid on Gordon Greer at 20/1, not my best weekend, Martin robbed him, and me!