Goals set to be at a premium for Scotland’s trip to Slovakia

Despite dropping two points at home to Lithuania last time out, Scotland sit in a play-off position in their World Cup qualifying group.

Next up they have a chance to put some distance between them and fifth-place Group F rivals Slovakia, but shouldn’t expect to run riot in front of goal.

Gordon Strachan’s first away day in the current campaign saw his side streak to a 5-1 success in Malta, but will face stubborn hosts when they do battle with Jan Kozak’s men in Trnava.

Slovakia have only conceded more than once in a home game on one occasion in over two years’ worth of matches at their national stadium, keeping seven clean sheets in 15 assignments during that time.

Fellow home-nation raiders have struggled to break down the Falcons’ defence in recent times, with England needing a last-gasp Adam Lallana winner to prevail 1-0 last time out and Northern Ireland enduring a goalless draw in June.

Freebie qualifying trips to Malta and Gibraltar aside, the Scots have scored one goal in their last four away games, so a punt on the game containing less than 2.5 goals looks a must at 1/2.

Although fresh from competing at Euro 2016, the Slovaks lost 1-0 in Slovenia at the weekend and have already fallen behind group-leaders England as a result.

Only goal difference separates them and Scotland, who both have four points, so finding a winner in this clash could prove pivotal when the final standings are settled next October.

With the Three Lions 1/9 to seal top spot in Group F, this pair are effectively scrapping for second-place and a chance to reach Russia in 2018 via the play-off route.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing