World Cup Group A, Hampden, 3pm, live on Sky Sports 1
SCOTLAND launch their Group A campaign hoping to get off to a flier from two home games in four days.
Serbia today is the tougher of the two outings and Levein’s side are a best 7-4 at Ladbrokes to notch three points. Macedonia follow and a minimum requirement for the Scots must be four points in a tough-looking Group A.
One of the concerns with this tie is several bookies have gone 13-8 each of two and that suggests they strongly fancy a draw at 9-4 with Coral and Betfred.
The Serbs, a best 19-10 with BetVictor, drew 0-0 in their last outing against Republic of Ireland and have scored just one goal in their last five games.
So no scorer (8-1, BetVictor) or 1-1 (6-1, various) could be on and under 2.25 goals at 5-6 at Ladbrokes seems a wise choice.
Craig Levein has recruited the likes of Paul Dixon and Richard Foster to a weakened defence but unfortunately Steven Fletcher remains an absence.
William Hill are celebrating their sponsorship of the national team by putting Scotland out from 7-1 to 10-1 to qualify. It’s a decent price but the move also suggests we’re unfancied as fourth favourites in Group A.
We are 11-8 with William Hill to finish fourth in Group A and 6-1 for second. To take six points from Serbia and Macedonia Scotland are 3-1 at William Hill while four is the most likely tally at 13-8.
First-scorer favourite today is Kenny Miller, who will start up front on his own, at 7-1 with BetVictor, Hills and McBookie.com.
Jordan Rhodes is 6-1 favourite at McBookie.com but I’d prefer to take a chance on Steven Naismith who has started his Everton career in good form. He is 8-1 (various) to net the opener.
Blackburn new boy Rhodes is sure to play a bigger role as the campaign progresses and he and Naismith are 5-2 joint favourites at Hills to top-score for Scotland in Group A.
Scotland and Serbia are 5-6 draw no bet with Hills who also offer Scotland plus one at 2-5 and Serbia plus one at 1-2.
Recommendations
Naismith to score first
(8-1, various)
Under 2.25 goals
(5-6, Ladbrokes)
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miller 2-1 55/1 @betvictor and only 33/1 @skybet
shocking difference but al take any win just to get the points on the board after belgium and croatia winning last night. croatia didnt look anthing special and wales were down to 10 men after 25 mins so really need 6 points from these 2 games
Can c levein bein 2 negative and end up leavin it 2 late end up losing or drawing.dnt need to be gung ho but also no neef to be over cautious at home againsy serbs it aint spain shid play 2 up but levien guarenteed 4-5-1
haha gd to see your brimming wi confidence paul ‘ 10/1 for scotland to qualify for world cup, i’ve got more chance of waking up next to nieve than we have going to brazil’ quality haha
Craig, after today I won’t be waiting for Nieve’s call.
Was gonna do 1-1 but let my heart rule my head and took 2-1. CMON SCOTLAND!!!!!!
big difference in draw prices today Hills 9/5 and Lads 11/5