Party time for Scotland?

Internationals / Editor / 11 October 2007 / Leave a Comment

Three points against the Ukraine put Scotland with one foot in next Summer's tournament

Scotland v Ukraine - Saturday, kick off 3pm (live on Sky Sports 1)

Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin has stated he will quit if his team fail to qualify for the European Championships - a warning to Scotland ahead of the big Hampden Park clash.

The visitors are currently eight points behind Alex McLeish's table-toppers in Group B and seven behind second placed Italy, and a win in Glasgow (3.95) is a must if they are to stand any chance of featuring at Euro 2008.

In-form Scotland (2.14) have lost just twice in the group so far, but one of those defeats came in Kiev where Olexandr Kucher and Andriy Shevchenko were on target in a 2-0 Ukraine victory (24 for a repeat scoreline).

Shevchenko may be popular in the 'To Score' market but it must be remembered his club form has been poor this term (one goal in all competitions) and the Chelsea man has scored just two goals for his country in the qualifying group.
Ukraine have scored ten goals in their eight qualifying games and Scotland's defenders, who have conceded just two goals in four home qualifiers, will be upbeat about dealing with the likes of Shevchenko and Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin. A Scotland clean sheet will no doubt attract many punters at 2.58 (the same bet for Ukraine is 3.8).
Rangers' veteran David Weir is expected to partner Stephen McManus in the heart of Scotland's backline, while West Ham veteran Christian Dailly has returned to the squad and provides options in defence or defensive midfield.
Punters will remember Stephen Pressley was sent off in the reverse fixture last October, while three other players received yellow cards and it could pay to check out Betfair's developing 'Booking Odds' and 'Sending Off?' markets, in what will be another hard-fought clash.
Those expecting a tight battle at Hampden may be tempted by the 2.86 on offer for 'Under 1.5 Goals'.
Amazingly there has been just one draw (Italy v Lithuania ending 1-1) in the 25 games played so far in Group B and another level scoreline after 90 minutes can be backed at 3.45.

Despite their famous 1-0 victory in France (completing a double over World Cup runners up) and topping the group, Scotland are still available at 2.8 to qualify for next summer's tournament (4.2 to win the Group). Italy are the 1.25 favourites to go through, with France trading at 1.31 and Ukraine on offer at 17.