SCOTLAND will need to produce their best display of the campaign to stay on the Road to Russia.
I'm usually pessimistic when it comes to the national team's chances but Gordon Strachan has done well to put us back in contention.
However, the loss of Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong could be too much to overcome when Slovakia come to town.
The Celtic midfielders would have been definite starters and both have played big roles in getting Scotland back on track with draw against England followed by three wins.
It's not clear who Strachan will bring in and he has options. Newcastle's Matt Ritchie is out and from what he says it looks like Barry Bannan will start but the Sheffield Wednesday man is inconsistent and may not perform as well as we need.
Darren Fletcher, James McArthur and James Morrison are competing for spots and Morrison is an almost certain starter. I'd like to see John McGinn of Hibs play and he has the potential to be a major star. Celtic's Callum McGregor, who like McGinn netted a double in the Celtic v Hibs game at the weekend, would be another I'd pick but Strachan doesn't seem to be a fan.
The Slovaks thrashed us 3-0 in Trnava and gave England a scare at Wembley last month – and we'll struggle to see them off.
Scotland are 7-5 with McBookie while Slovakia are dangerous underdogs at 85-40. The draw, that suits the visitors who finish off at home to Malta, is 85-40.
Strachan's side have been up and down this campaign and while I expect a fighting display we're weaker without the Celtic duo and Marek Hamsik will be the one world-class player on the pitch.
The Napoli attacker could make our defence pay and is 7-1 at Ladbrokes and William Hill to score first and 16-5 at Paddy Power to net.
Leigh Griffiths has risen to the task and we need him to be firing – the Celtic star is 11-5 at Unibet to net and 5-1 at bet365 to strike the first blow.
For once I hope I'm wrong but I can't see the Slovaks losing and best bet could be Slovakia draw no bet at 5-4 with McBookie.
Recommended Bets
- Slovakia dnb
- (5-4, McBookie)
- Hamsik to score
- (16-5, Paddy Power)
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.
Robert Mak scored in reverse fixture and is 9/2 anytime, alot less everywhere elses