Euro 2012 Betting: Czech Republic v Scotland

Venue: Sparta Stadium, Prague
Kick-Off/TV: 19:15, live on BBCOne Scot

Scotland have been hit by an injury crisis ahead of their crucial Group I clash with Czech Republic. Boss Craig Levein will be without the suspended Lee McCulloch and the injured quintet of Kirk Broadfoot, Scott Brown, James McFadden, Paul Hartley and Kevin Thomson, as well as having injury worries over defenders Gary Caldwell and Alan Hutton and goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Czech Republic embarrassingly lost their opening fixture at home to Lithuania and can ill afford another slip-up even at this very early stage. The Scots - who drew with Lithuania in their opening fixture - needed an injury time winner to avoid their own catastrophe against minnows Liechtenstein last time.

Match Odds: Czech Republic 1.738/11, Scotland 5.95/1, The Draw 4.03/1

With Spain waiting in the wings in Group I, Czech Republic will be desperate to get their first three points on the board against injury-ravaged Scotland. Petr Cech has been in multiple clean sheet form for his club side Chelsea, and with the talented Tomas Rosicky in midfield, and the prolific Milan Baros in attack, the home side are a confident choice to win the game.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

I don't envisage Scotland getting on the scoresheet so I'd have to favour the Under 2.5 Goals option here at 1.75/7 given the Czechs might be lacking a little confidence after some surprising set-backs during the last 12 months or so. If you disagree Over 2.5 Goals is available to back at 2.3811/8, but I can see this game being won by a scoreline of either 1-0 or 2-0 - available to back at 6.611/2 and 7.87/1 respectively in the Correct Score market.

Czech Republic Clean Sheet

Given that not many goals are expected in this game (judging by the Over/Under markets), and that Scotland have a lengthy injury list, I'm surprised that a Czech Republic Clean Sheet is available to back at 2.186/5 here. Petr Cech is one of the finest goalkeepers in the world and is more than capable of shutting the Scots out - if severely tested that is.

Best Bet: Back Czech Republic Clean Sheet @ 2.186/5