Scotland to fall to early damaging WCQ defeat
Thursday evening sees the first games in Group F of the UEFA section of the World Cup qualifiers get underway. Denmark are slight favourites to top the group, but it promises to be extremely competitive to at least come second. Scotland and Austria will duke it out to get off to the perfect start to run the Scandinavian nation close, and the hosts are much improved under Steve Clarke, having qualified for their first major tournament this century under his management. Franco Foda's men will also be at the delayed Euro 2020, and will hope under his auspices to get to Qatar as well. Hampden Park could be the platform for them to realise their dream. Read our preview here:
Ché's diplomacy
One of the principle problems Scotland have experienced on the senior stage in recent years hasn't necessarily been a lack of quality in their pool; indeed, in Andy Robertson at left wing-back, they possess one of the very best in that role in the world. More pressing has been the deficiency up top, but in Ché Adams, they might just have someone to rely on again. The forward has improved this season at Southampton in his second year of Premier League football, scoring seven goals thus far and impressing with his movement, athleticism, and willingness to work hard for his team, defending from the front. He only very recently committed to the Tartan Army, and will offer genuine pace alongside Lyndon Dykes. The QPR forward has already proven he has what it takes to make an impact on the international stage, and it will be intriguing to see how Austria deal with the duo in tandem.
The tower of Sasa
David Alaba will available for selection after his club Bayern Munich reversed their decision to not allow him to join up with Das Team. The versatile 28 year old now plays very different roles for club and country, operating in the heart of defence for the Bundesliga giants, and on the left half-space of the attacking midfield trio for the central European nation. The spine of the likely XI is solid but unspectacular... until the sharp end of the column. Stuttgart striker Saša Kalajdžić stands at a full two metres tall, so is an obvious target for crosses and dead balls. Moreover, his short passing and lay-offs are excellent, and his style has a huge resemblance to Czech legend Jan Koller. Alaba will ensure the relative novice is well supplied from his flank, whilst Xaver Schlager will tuck inside to offer another option at the far post.
General Franco
There is little on paper to separate the two teams. Both have in their ranks at least one elite player, and a forward with the attributes to make defences extremely uncomfortable. Scotland are no longer a laughing stock in Europe, and are now in the third rung of nations that have fighting chances of qualifying for tournaments. That is testament to Clarke's management, coming as it does against a backdrop of an uncompetitive SPFL, and only Glasgow Rangers performing adequately in continental club competition. Franco can draw from the domestic league, as well as over the border in Germany and people of Slavic descent - Kalajdžić is one such individual, and he might just prove the difference on the night. 888sport have odds of 2.15 for an Austria win.
