World Cup qualifier: Scotland v Wales match preview

A look ahead to tonight’s Group A match at Hampden Park

New Scotland manager Gordon Strachan, left, makes a point to his players last night (Getty Images)

Wales head into to night’s encounter looking to complete a qualifying group double over their Scottish counterparts after securing a last-gasp 2-1 victory the last time the two sides met in Cardiff.

The two sides occupy the bottom two slots in the Group A table, with Scotland rooted to the foot of the group. Wales have only secured one win in the tournament so far, against Scotland in October, whilst the Scots are searching for an elusive victory after losses to Wales and Belgium and draws against Macedonia and Serbia.

Former Wales goalkeeper Neville Southall has commented that manager Chris Coleman could be under pressure should his side lose against Scotland.

KICK-OFF: Friday, 8pm.

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Wales 2 (Bale 2) Scotland 1 (Morrison), World Cup Qualifying Group A, October 2012

Wales 1 (Earnshaw) Scotland 3 (Morrison, Miller, Berra), Nations Cup, May 2011

Wales 3 (Edwards, Church, Ramsey) Scotland 0, International Friendly, November 2009

STATS…

Gordon Strachan is looking for back-to-back wins in his first two games as Scotland manager.

Scotland have only beaten Wales once since 1985.

Wales did not win once in the first 23 meetings between the teams.

ODDS…

Scotland to win: 0.75

Wales to win: 3.6

Draw: 2.5

CLASSIC MATCH...

Wales 1 Scotland 1 - September 10, 1985. This might have been the game which secured Scotland’s passage into the World Cup, but events were overshadowed by the tragic death of Scotland manager Jock Stein, who collapsed with a heart attack in the final stages of the match. Stein died in the treatment room at Ninian Park after the game.

TV: Live on Sky Sports HD2 , Sky Sports 2 & Sky 3D at 8pm, highlights on ITV at 10.45pm.