Live on Sky Sports 3 & 5: Sun 17.00: Peter Sharkey assesses Scotland’s chances against Germany in their Euro 2016 clash.
With the weekend’s league action limited following a clutch of meaningless international friendlies, punters’ attention turns to next week’s European Championship qualifiers and in particular Sunday’s meeting between Scotland and world champions Germany.
It couldn’t be any tougher for the Scots – witness their 17/1 price (Stan James) for them to shock the football world and overhaul a side who destroyed Brazil 7-1 just a couple of months ago and went on to lift the World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0. No wonder Skybet install the Germans as their 1/6 favourites to secure maximum points despite their 4-2 defeat by Argentina in Wednesday’s friendly.
Under Berti Vogts, Scotland suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat when they last faced Germany, also in a European Championship qualifier, in 2003 and actually defeated the Germans 1-0 in a 1999 friendly. This time though, Paddy Power consider the chances of Scotland winning 1-0 at an incredible 60/1.
While punters may risk a modest sum at such outrageously lengthy odds, they’re probably more inclined to consider likelier outcomes. For example, the Scots are 6/4 to win (bet365) when handed a two-goal start, while the draw is offered at 3/1 (BetVictor.com) when Germany kick off with a two-goal deficit.
Elsewhere, Betway rate the chances of the game’s first goal arriving inside the opening five minutes and Winner.com offer 9/2 against Scotland stunning the Germans by notching the game’s initial strike.
It’s worth recalling that Scotland almost pulled off a famous victory in 2003 when they drew 1-1 with the Germans at Hampden and punters who believe they can be similarly inspired on Sunday can get 8/1 (Ladbrokes) against the fixture ending with honours even. Even the Germans can be a tad complacent.
In other markets, William Hill post 21/20 against Scotland scoring at any time and bet365 chalk an attractive-looking 6/5 about both teams finding the net. BetVictor.com marks 2/5 about the fixture producing more than 2.5 goals, but backers anticipating a major shock can get 14/1 (Stan James) against it ending 1-1.
Recommended Bets:
Germany to beat Scotland by two – 3/1 (BetVictor)
Compare all Euro 2016 qualifying odds and bet at the best prices.
