SCOTLAND travel to Vienna to face an Austria side who will welcome this friendly like a hole in the head.
UEFA's ludicrous insistence that the nations who lost a World Cup semi-final play-off must face the other losing semi-finalist for TV and commercial reasons means there are a host of unwanted games.
For Scotland, it's far less so. It's another chance for Steve Clarke to maintain the current feelgood feeling sweeping around the nation following along unbeaten spell.
And it's a chance for him to have a look at some other players ahead for what could be an action-packed June, which is currently scheduled to include the play-off semi-final game against Ukraine, although it remains highly debatable whether they will be ready.
Scotland were robbed of a morale-bosting win against a Poland side admittedly without Robert Lewandowski on Thursday, but they could still take plenty from it.
But for the hosts, this is a nightmare of a game after their semi-final defeat in Cardiff to Wales and it's almost certainly the final game of hapless boss Franco Foda too which will be played in front of a near-empty stadium.
How the bookies view it
Layers have been slow to price this up. McBookie.com make the hosts evens favourites with the Scots 12/5. The draw is also 12/5.
Recent head to heads
The nations met in the qualifying groups and a 2-2 draw at Hampden was followed by an excellent 1-0 victory for the Scots in Vienna last September thanks to a Lyndon Dykes penalty as can be seen below.
Scotland haven't lost in Austria since Ally MacLeod's last game as manager in 1978.
Players to watch
Christoph Baumgartner missed a glorious chance to score early on against Wales and the Hoffenheim midfielder has eight goals for the season.
Billy Gilmour gets better and better every time you see him play internationally and he continues to edge closer and closer to that first goal…at any level.
Remarkably, he's yet to score a senior goal in club football although he's netted at all age levels for Scotland apart from senior level. It's surely a matter of time before he opens his account.
Anything else catch the eye?
It's hard to see Austria treating this seriously, given the almighty blow they suffered in Wales. A lot will depend on line-ups, but even a thumping win would be no consolation for them.
Scotland finished seven points ahead of the Austrians in the last qualifiers and they have built up quite a head of steam.
Momentum could carry them onwards against the demoralised Austrians and they look a big price to win.
It's unlikely to be a classix though and might take a while to get going. Try the goallless draw at half time with McBookiie,com at 7/4.
The Scots love a corner – they've won at least six on their own in their last five games, so keep an eye out for the markets once they finally come up.
This International Friendly match between Austria and Scotland will be played on Mar 29, 2022 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Austria vs Scotland prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
