World Cup
2008-10-11 - Scotland vs Norway
A Sports Betting Pick by Ewan
FIFA World Cup 2010 UEFA European (UEFA) Qualifiers
Saturday 11th October 2008 - KO 15:00
Scotland and Norway both need maximum points from Saturday’s game at Hampden after shaky starts to their group campaign and this game will surely be very tight.
Team news
George Burley is missing some key players, he was prepared for the absences of captain Barry Ferguson and right back Alan Hutton and he knew that Stephen McManus would be missing through suspension after his sending off in the win away at Iceland but the call offs to Kenny Miller, Kris Commons and Kevin Thomson have been a blow.
Miller’s absence especially is a setback as he was due to start up front with James McFadden and his work rate and goal threat will be missed. However, Burley now has options up front and must choose between Kris Boyd, Chris Iwelumo, Steven Fletcher and David Clarkson.
Realistically he will choose between Boyd, who has struggled to get a start for Rangers but has a record of 7 goals in 15 internationals and Iwelumo, who has scored 8 times in 7 games for Wolves.
The centre half positions will be filled by veteran Davie Weir and Gary Caldwell, Kirk Broadfoot should start at right back after a superb debut in Iceland and either Gary Naysmith or Graham Alexander will be at left back.
Man Utd midfielder Darren Fletcher will captain the side and he will be partnered in midfield with any three from Paul Hartley, Barry Robson, James Morrison and Shaun Maloney.
Scotland thought they had injury problems but they are nothing compared to Norway’s. Strike pairing John Carew and Steffen Iversen are doubts, it would be a major surprise if Carew didn’t make it, Iversen is a major doubt though.
Forward Mohammed Abdellaone is definitely out as are midfielders Martin Andresen, Per Ciljan Skjelbred and Vladimir Demidov. Carew should start and he is the main goal threat and the player that Scotland will have to watch closely.
Norway are under pressure to get a positive result after their opening draw at home with Iceland and by all accounts their defence is very shaky.
Previous meeting
Norway won 1-0 at Hampden the last time the two sides met in a competitive fixture through a Steffen Iversen penalty.
However, that was under the stewardship of Berti Vogts and the improvement since then in the Scotland team has been remarkable and I don’t think that result will have any bearing on Saturday’s outcome.
The Verdict
Scotland are priced up as favourites in what will be a tense game, they are missing some key players and the goal threat of John Carew is well known and Scotland will have to close him down if they are to avoid defeat.
Norway have even more injuries than Scotland and many of their top class players are much better at club level (Riise and Morten Gamst Pedersen are prime examples) and I feel they will come to Hampden to try and nick a goal and protect it.
Scotland are very good at Hampden in competitive matches and have beaten far better sides than Norway and they will surely have done their homework on this occasion.
Backing Scotland is always fraught with danger, even more so when they are favourites to win but that is what I am advising here.
The game will be tight and a saver on a 0-0 draw is advised, however I feel that Scotland will just edge it 1-0. For a first goalscorer bet you could do a lot worse than backing Kris Boyd, who’s record is fantastic in international games.
The Pick :
Scotland 1-0 Norway (risk of 0-0)
