Live on BBC2 Scotland: Fri 18.00: Scotland are 5/4 favourites with Coral to emerge triumphant in their friendly clash against Cyprus.
Scotland narrowly missed out on a Euro 2012 play-off place last month and as they will not participate in the finals in Poland and Ukraine next summer, Craig Levein’s charges must start building towards the qualification campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
They start those preparations with a friendly clash in Cyprus and Coral rate the Scots at 5/4 to come out on top in Larnaca, where the hosts are underdogs at 13/5 courtesy of bwin.
The home side finished bottom of their group in qualifying for the European Championships and were without a victory in eight matches, six of which ended in defeat. An away success has to be fancied then although Scotland might not have it all their own way in a fixture that should see both teams find the net, an outcome Paddy Power price at even money.
Cyprus certainly showed enough in attack in Group H to suggest they will score, as they did in qualifying matches with Portugal, Norway and Denmark and on this basis, Ladbrokes’ 9/1 for Levein’s men to shade it 2-1 is an eye-catching quote.
Kenny Miller, as ever, will be well backed to break the deadlock and Blue Square rate the Cardiff striker at 6/1 to bag the opener. Also at 6/1 (Sportingbet) is Craig Mackail-Smith but it could be worth taking a gamble on in-form Jordan Rhodes finding the net.
The prolific Huddersfield man is set to earn his first cap for his country but he may have to make an impact from the bench so punters could consider Ladbrokes’ 7/1 for Rhodes to celebrate his call-up with the game’s last goal.
Recommended Bets:
Scotland to win 2-1 – 9/1 (Ladbrokes)
Jordan Rhodes to score the last goal – 7/1 (Ladbrokes)
Compare all friendly odds and bet at the best price.
