Scotland vulnerable to a Gibraltar goal in anticlimax
Published:
Despite scoring two fantastic goals in a draw against Poland in their penultimate Euro 2016 qualifier, heartbreak lay in store once again for Scotland, and now Gordon Strachan must pick his troops up for a dead rubber against minnows Gibraltar.
Thanks to the Republic of Ireland’s heroics in defeating world champions Germany in Dublin on the same night, Scotland’s road to next summer’s tournament was completely blocked off.
Scotland will be left ruing an extremely costly loss in Georgia in the most competitive of qualifying groups, where pride and UEFA coefficient points are all that remain to play for.
That being the case, it seems quite plausible that some pressure is applied to Strachan from Premier League bosses to rest some of Scotland’s top stars for the trip to the tiny Island.
Bournemouth’s Matt Richie and Everton forward Steven Naismith are among players who may not be risked against a team that have collected no points in nine games, scoring only twice and conceding 50 times.
It’s safe to say the match odds are a non event for the game, with Scotland 1/40 for a nailed-on victory.
However, with Scotland heads down and the potential for a much-changed lineup, Ladbrokes’ special offer on the match could be a belter.
The bookmaker are boosting Scotland to win with both teams scoring – as was the case in a 6-1 thrashing of Gibraltar at Hampden earlier in Group D – out from 2/1 to 3/1 for the match.
Another plan of attack for the punter could well be to utilise the firm’s Sharp Shooter* offer for live games.
It could well be worth waiting until the starting lineups are announced before plumping for the most attractive first scorer candidate however.
*Place a First Player To Score bet in any English or Scottish league or cup match, or European matches involving British teams which is broadcast live on TV and if your winning First Goalscorer nets in the first 25 minutes, Ladbrokes will double the odds for stakes up to £/€25. Click here for full T’s & C’s.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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