Prediction: Scotland vs Kazakhstan

Verdict: Total goals over 2.5

Best odds: 23/20

Bookmaker: bet365

Scotland will welcome Kazakhstan to the Hampden Park in Glasgow on Tuesday for what will be the last game of the regular qualifying process for next year’s European Championship, for both sides.

Scotland

Scotland’s qualifying campaign hasn’t been too bad, given the competition in the group, and yet it didn’t achieve its goal. The top two places, which mean automatic qualification for the main tournament, have gone to very formidable teams of Belgium and Russia. Scotland enter this game directly below with 12 points to their name, eight less than Russia in second place, and with a good opportunity to go out on a high in front of their own fans.

But whatever happens in this game, Scotland will have another chance to book a place at the Euro 2020. As the winners of League C Group 1 of the UEFA Nations League, they are guaranteed a spot in the qualification play-offs which take part in March. Nonetheless, they started this international break in a good way by beating Cyprus away, and they will certainly look to end it in the same manner.

Team News

One of the issues manager Steve Clarke will have to work around is a number of players he won’t be able to count on for this game. Captain Andy Robertson, the Liverpool left-back, is out injured, as are Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay and winger Ryan Fraser of Bournemouth.

Kazakhstan

Much like the Scots, Kazakhstan have also had a decent campaign, considering the high quality of the opposition in the group. They were never really expected to challenge the likes of Belgium and Russia for the top two spots, and therefore the whole business was rather hopeless from the start as they, unlike Scotland, don’t have the play-offs to fall back on. But they gave a good account of themselves, nonetheless, especially when they beat Scotland at home by 3-0 back at the very start of the race, proving that they wouldn’t just give up without trying their best.

So, to make a long story short, even though their best wasn’t good enough in the end, they can look back on this campaign without shame. That will especially be the case if they manage to win in Glasgow and pull a double over Scotland.

Team News

Head coach Michal Bilek has the full squad at his disposal. Nobody is out injured, or even a doubt, though he will probably change a few things from the 1-3 win away in San Marino a few days ago, which saw the team at the bottom of the group score their only goal of the campaign.

Conclusion

Despite lacking in competitive charge, this clash could to be an interesting game. There is probably a desire to win in both sets of players, but without any pressure. Therefore, it is to be expected that both teams will be attacking and the ball moving from one end of the pitch to the other very quickly. There should be a few goals scored as well; at least three.

Verdict: Total goals over 2.5

Best odds: 23/20

Bookmaker: bet365