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Sunday 14 June, 02:00
Live on BBC One
Haiti have already defied the odds
When you bear in mind that Haiti coach Sebastien Migne has never actually been to Haiti because of the gang violence that has gripped the Caribbean island, you realise how extraordinary it is that Grenadiers have secure their first appearance at the finals since 1974. The team had to play every single qualifier away from home, and yet here they are, ready to take on three quality teams on the big stage. A game against mighty Brazil will be a memorable reward for their efforts.
Perhaps concerningly for Scotland, Haiti are adept at defending diligently and then springing forward on the counter, and a recruitment drive has brought Premier League quality to the squad. Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor could catch the eye, but there are less heralded players to monitor too. Louicius Deedson is a lightning-fast winger, while the country's record scorer Duckens Nazon is quick and strong. Charismatic keeper Johnny Placide - known as The Guardian - is a true leader.
Haiti smashed New Zealand 4-0 in a warm-up, and they led 1-0 until the 81st minute against Peru before collapsing to a 2-1 defeat. Haiti have scored in nine of their last 12 internationals.
Migne has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the opening game. The coach believes his team is getting better in every single match, and he's confident they can "move mountains" this summer.
Scotland looking sharp ahead of critical moment
With tricky-looking games against African champions Morocco and South American giants Brazil to come, Scotland are well aware that their bid to reach the knockout phase of a major tournament for the first time probably hinges on this opening match. Steve Clarke's men are used to playing underdog football, being competitive without having to carry the fight to the opposition, but this game in Boston is different.
Scotland will be favourites against Haiti, and it feels like a game they have to win. As a result, Clarke has been experimenting with a 4-4-2, and his strikers have looked sharp in a 4-1 win over Curacao and a 4-0 demolition of Bolivia. Former Hearts hero Lawrence Shankland scored in both games, while Che Adams bagged a brace against Bolivia.
While Scotland and Clarke took positives from those warm-up games, there are important caveats. Curacao played a chunk of the match at Hampden Park with ten men after Jurgen Locadia got himself sent off in ridiculous fashion, while Bolivia were missing a clutch of key players through injury and admin issues.
Scotland go into this game in encouraging form in front of goal. They have scored twice or more in eight of their last 11 matches, and they have scored four goals in three of the last five. The goals don't just come from strikers - Napoli star Scott McTominay has become a superb box-crashing midfielder, and he netted seven goals in qualifying.
Adams is a slight fitness doubt, with Lyndon Dykes a potential alternative alongside Shankland. The loss of midfield metronome Billy Giilmour before the tournament was a major blow - his place in the squad has been taken by Manchester United youngster Tyler Fletcher.
Scotland to get the win they need
This is an awkward spot for Scotland, but the conditions in Boston on what is Saturday night there shouldn't be too oppressive, and although they weren't perfect against outsiders Belarus in qualifying they did beat them home and away. That's not a perfect comparison, but it shows what Steve Clarke's men can do when they have to force the tempo against a team that's looking to contain and counter.
I'll use the Asian Handicap here to back Scotland -1.0 at 2.0521/20. If Scotland win by a single goal we have our stake returned, but a bigger success sees us pick up an odds-against payout.
Back Scotland -1.0 on the Asian Handicap @
Shining Shankland can do it again
Lawrence Shankland scored 16 top-flight goals as Hearts nearly pulled off a memorable title win, and he has scored in his last two games for Scotland. He'll almost certainly start here, and I'll back him to find the net at 13/102.30.
Back Shankland to score
If you like you can use the Sportsbook's Bet Builder to combine a Scotland win and a Shankland goal at 8/52.60.