Live on Sky Sports 3: Fri 20.00: Scotland are 4/6 (Betfred) to lose to Belgium in their World Cup clash but Jordan Rhodes can still find the net.
Scotland are one of only three teams of all 53 European hopefuls that are technically unable to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil next year, and they face a stern test against group leaders Belgium at Hampden Park.
The visitors have not lost a game so far during the qualification process, so it’s no surprise that they start as favourites in this clash. The Belgians are 4/6 with Betfred to take home all three points.
But the Scots have plenty of reasons to be upbeat about following a win in Croatia and a narrow defeat to England last month, and optimists who expect a home win can get 4/1 at Paddy Power for such an outcome.
A repeat of either of Scotland’s last two scorelines could prove tempting. Stan James is offering 40/1 on Belgium winning by the odd goal in five, while a 1-0 win for the hosts is 9/1 at Skybet. Indeed, if backing a narrow Scottish win is what appeals to you, Bet365 price a scorecast with Jordan Rhodes getting the only goal at 40/1.
Rhodes is of course, the main danger in attack from the hosts’ perspective, Paddy Power rating the Blackburn man at 10/3 to strike at some point and bet365 making him 9/1 to break the deadlock. his ability allied with his teams’ encouraging performance at Wembley suggest the Scots are capable of getting on the scoresheet so a case can be made for both teams finding the net (evens, Winner.com).
The Belgians of course, will certainly be dangerous thanks in part to Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke, and he is at 6/4 with Ladbrokes to score at any time and 25/1 via BetVictor.com to grab a hat-trick.
Winner.com is offering an attractive 25/1 on Scotland leading at half-time but the visitors turning it around by the final whistle, while Betway is offering just shy of 4/1 on Scotland not conceding a goal.
If there is to be a clean sheet, though, the clever money would probably be on Belgium achieving it. They have let in only two goals in their seven games so far, and Stan James is offering 7/4 on the visitors winning without conceding.
As far as the wider odds are concerned, you can get 100/1 at William Hill on a 5-0 win for Belgium, and the same price is available at BetVictor for the Gordon Strachan’s men to spring an upset and win 3-2.
Recommended bets:
Both teams to score – evens (Winner.com)
Jordan Rhodes to score at any time – 10/3 (Paddy Power)
Compare all World Cup qualifying odds and bet at the best price.
