Prediction: Peru vs Scotland

Verdict: Peru to win to Nil

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: 888sport

Peru begin preparation for their first World Cup appearance after 1982 with a game against Scotland who failed to qualify for the showpiece tournament in Russia, thus extending their 20-year absence from the world stage.

Peru

Having ended the South American qualifying stage in fifth place, Peru were forced to go through the play-offs to secure their Russian visa. They went on to dispatch New Zealand 2-0 on aggregate which only continued their fantastic form of late.

Peru are unbeaten in their last 12 matches and will be flying high on confidence following back-to-back March victories over fellow World Cup participants Croatia and Iceland. Ricardo Gareca’s men have been slotted in Group C alongside Denmark, France and Australia which gives them a fair chance to fight for a place in the knockout stages. Peru head coach did not name any uncapped players in his preliminary 24-man squad for the World Cup but was forced to leave out captain Pablo Guerrero. Flamengo forward is set to miss the World Cup due to his 14-month ban for substance abuse and his absence will be a major blow for the South American side.

Team News

Peru are likely to field the strongest side possible with Lokomotiv Moscow striker Jefferson Farfan expected to lead the line for his side.

Attacking midfielder Christian Cueva is expected to provide much of the creativity for his team whereas Watford’s Andre Corillo is another player to keep an eye on.

Scotland

Scotland missed a great chance to land their first World Cup appearance in last two decades but a draw from their last group match cost them a World Cup play-off spot.

A change at the helm followed with Alex McLeish returning for his second spell as boss. Scotland have lost to Costa Rica and defeated Hungary thus far in 2018 with Mc Leish enjoying mixed fortunes in his first two matches in charge. He is expected to field an experimental side against Peru as he looks to test as many players as possible. Scotland are also struck with a couple of notable selection issues. The Scotland boss was forced to name a makeshift an largely inexperienced squad which was further decimated by six players withdrawing from the team. An excruciating season is taking its toll on the players and it’s up to McLeish to find the balance even though he will have a fully motivated squad to choose from.

Team News

Stuart Armstrong, Barry Douglas, Ryan Fraser, Allan McGregor, Matt Ritchie and John Stuart were forced to withdraw from the initial squad list with Bain, Caden and O’Donnel were called up as replacements.

Sporting Kansas City striker Johnny Russel is with the team but will be unavailable until the Sunday’s game at Mexico.

Key Factors to Consider

• Scotland are without six first-team players for the Peru challenge
• Peru have to do without suspended captain Pablo Guerrero
• Peru and Scotland only met three times until now
• Hosts are flying on the back of a 12-math unbeaten run
• Just one of Scotland’s last 7 matches has seen both teams score a goal

Conclusion

Peru are warming up for the World Cup and are expected to field a highly competitive side against injury depleted Scotland. Alex McLeish is without no less than six players who had to withdraw from the squad and his experimental and inexperienced side will have little to ask for against the in-form South Americans.

Verdict: Peru to win to Nil

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: 888sport