SCOTLAND v LIECHTENSTEIN
Football : International : EURO 2012 Qualifying
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010, 8:00pm GMT

SCOTLAND

Scotland, as usual, have begun to put pressure on themselves early by failing to beat Lithuania, one of the weakest opponents in their group. The tartan army saw their match end 0-0, and frankly should have scored a few. It makes the next match, against Liechtenstein, one they must win, and win well, as the other opponents are Spain and the Czechs, teams I wouldn't give Scotland a battered eggs chance in hot oil.

These two sides have never met before, and with not many points expected from the other matches, the games against Liechtenstein and Lithuania were what the Scots were counting on and they must get their campaign off to a start or else they will surely continue their wait for a major tournament.

For the record, the last time Scotland were in a major tournament was....anyone? Look it up. It was back in 1997 for France 98.

Scotland will be at home here, in Hampden Park, and will need to now score a fair few in their win, to make sure that if it does come down to goal-difference between them and the Czech Republic they have the advantage.

New manager Craig Levein will be dealing with some injuries here as striker Chris Iwelumo is out, with Fletcher a possible absentee too. Lee Wallace makes a return to the side after missing the last game, and that is a positive. Kevin McNaughton will join him to bolster the defence.

A Liechtenstein goal would seriously be abysmal, as Scotland should win this one to nil.

LIECHTENSTEIN

What can I say here about Liechtenstein to fill space? They're rubbish. I know it, you know it, Scotland knows it.

Liechtenstein are ranked 141st in the world, and the side has never been to a major tournament. They're a side there to rack up the score against and make up the numbers for qualifying.

Spain proved this, when they visited Liechtenstein in the group opener, and won 4-0. Sloppy seconds this might be, but then Scotland do like to stir the porridge.

Hans-Peter Zaugg, who manages the side when he's not writing childrens books (he doesn't really) has a side filled with names you'll never have heard of, unless you live in Switzerland. The Swiss manager will have to rely on the fact that Scotland always find a way to shoot themselves in the foot, and as strategy, he could do a lot worse.

Indeed, when you think about it, losing only 4-0 to Spain isn't that bad is it? This side also managed to draw with Iceland in an away game, so the idea of them spoiling the Scots evening isn't entirely implausible.

There is a miniature chance of Liechtenstein scoring here, but mostly I expect them to just show up and get tonked. Both these views are taken into account for my proposed bets.

BETTING VERDICT

Scotland were the better side against Lithuania and should have scored a few and won. But they didn't. I think they get it right here and give the home fans something to sing about.

Home win, with a few goals in it.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Over 2.5 goals

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Over 2.5 goals at 1.55 (Pinnacle) - MAIN BET

Goal before 30 mins @ 1.83 (Bet365)