I don't think that Scotland will win this one mate.This is not because Lithuania drew at Italy.In opinion Scotland play poor football as lack of quality is the major reason.I know that most of the punters in this website came from Scotland.No disrespect to you mates,but I think that Scottish national team play poor football and at least three teams in this group are better than you(France,Italy and Ukraine)very possibly Lithuania too,according to their performance at the last four years.
That's a fair point mate, but we'd probably prefer not to be judged on much of the last 4 years. They were when we were under the guidance of Berti Vogts, who selection policies led to a few years of stagnation which we are recovering from now.
More importantly, he has been been replaced by the far more respected Walter Smith, who knows how to bring through young players, knows his players inside out, and knows how to set out a team for a variety of jobs.
Austria 2:2 Scotland
Scotland 1:1 USA
Scotland 1:3 Switzerland
Bulgaria 1:5 Scotland
Japan 0:0 Scotland
Euros
Scotland 6:0 Faroes
Against a variety of opposition that is P13 W5 D5 L3.
Not bad, and the most recent results(Faroes, Japan, Bulgaria, Slovenia) have been the better ones. Also, our away form is ok with P7 W3 D3 L1, with the loss against Italy in a match we were unfortunate to lose.
The team has progressed a lot in the past 2 years - we now have a superb poacher in Kris Boyd, two of our main midfielders in Hartley and Fletcher have improved markedly, and in Craig Gordon we possess our one world class player.
It's important not to get carried away here, but all I am trying to say is that the Scotland team of today is one which can go into games like these optimistic of our chances of winning, rather than playing for a 0-0 like we used to.
I don't think our national team is at a quality level below Lithuania...there's not much in it but with the optimism in the camp, and no lack of pride and passion which is always guaranteed, I think we'll get 3 points in Kaunas.
Good luck in Kaunas BEANIE.I hope Scotland to win this game mate.In you report I would like to add some additional results.For some strange reason you haven't added them(even you paly aginst the same team)- April 2, 2003, Lithuania1 - 0Scotland ;
Lithuania seems to be a very low-scoring side and I guess the scottish lads won't rush forward in an attacking 4-3-3 formation this time, am I right or am I wry? (ho ho, a joke for those of you who like the danish band Mew ). May we expect a 4-1-3-2 formation by Scotland? My main point is that its not easy to score goals in Lithuania and I guess they will be focusing on defensive efforts.
I am with Beanie on this one. Scotlands results have improved since they got
rid of Bertie Vogts. I also accept the point that there are three better teams than Scotland in this group
If they want to have any chance of doing something in this group, there is
no point in beating Faroe Island 6-0 at home and then going away to Lithuania and not beating them.
Scotland will have to beat the Faroe Islands, Lithuania, and possibly Georgia
home and away to have any chance in this group.
Because when it comes to the big games it is hard to see them getting any
points against France, Italy, Ukraine.
But for betting purposes I am going to back them on weds, purely because the
momentum is with them after Saturday........
It's hard to believe that Ireland could hurt Spaniards, after they were comfortable beaten by Iceland at home.
Spain survived barage games in previous wc Qualification, so I think they're planning to won the group without any calculations.
Strong, expirienced and confidence full defence plus fast attackers...imo Spain have too much...
Ukraine-Georgia 1
Great price! @ 1,30.
I wish I could find it in local.
Georgia was "lost in space" against France at their homeground.
Seems like they're really very bad...and at the other side, great chance for the hosts to start with easy three pts.
Maybe a narrow win, but win...
Macedonia-England 2
Same thingas Ukrainia's game.
Maybe some of us remember that Holland had some rough times in Macedonia, but England simply have too much quality for Macedonians.If they manage to control midfield, and I have no doubts - they will, it's almost certain that English could find a way to score, at least once, and some 0-1 or 0-2 could be more than enough.
No comment.
Add to each combo ( 1,08 x 1,05 x 1.05) and get free @ 1,19
This six- folder makes @ 2,53
Surely not inventing hot water, but I can't see surprises an mentioned games.
Maybe someone thought that 6 fold is way too much, but take one game at the time...
Not so much surprises in first round, too...Italy failed, also Poland, but I didn't see so much people were sticked to these games.
I'm tryin' to avoid any risk in this round and I'll be more than satisfied with those 2,5 time multiplier.
Got to agree with whats been said about Scotland's chances. We have improved dramatically since Walter Smit took over and I think that Wednesday nights game will be one of the biggest (if not THE) biggest.
Imagine the scenario - Scotland win away in Lithuania and France beat Italy in Paris.
Scotland 5 points ahead of Italy after only 2 games ! and that is what the fans and I think the players will want. I hope they play a more realistic 4-4-2 rather than a 4-5-1. I don't think Lithuania will be easy to score against but with all 4 strikers from Scotland scoring at the weekend they will all be confident of getting a game.
Close call but I think they can sneak it and come back with the 3 points
Good luck in Kaunas BEANIE.I hope Scotland to win this game mate.In you report I would like to add some additional results.For some strange reason you haven't added them(even you paly aginst the same team)- April 2, 2003, Lithuania1 - 0Scotland ;
That means just 4 players playing in both games from a total 14, plus a different manager - I don't see any way you can compare the two. If you were to compare them, and look at Boyd(about a goal a game in the SPL for the last 12 months) against Crawford(1 goal in 3 games in the SPL or thereabouts), Gordon(world class keeper) vs Gallacher(solid, but nothing more, or dynamic midfielders like Hartley or Fletcher vs Lambert(into his 30s, limited movement, yet still captain in that game v Lithuania) there is no contest, and that applies for about the whole X1.
Scotland appointed Berti as he had a good track record as you mention, but that doesn't automatically mean he will do well with Scotland - we are a completely different footballing nation to Germany and Berti got his selection policy and tactics wrong time and time again.
Anyway, this isn't the place to discuss Bampot Berti. As I have said Walter Smith has improved our side well, the players have improved themselves, and we go into this with a great deal of optimism.
I appreciate you're thoughts tho mate but I do think it is important to separate the two periods if looking to bet on this game.
Sonic - I think Scotland will set out with a counter attacking 3-5-2 and look to keep it close early on. We seem to be in good form in front of goal but the under looks likely here.
First as most of folks here, I fancy Scotland. Lithuania is nothing special and drew against Italy is not enough to made them favourite here. I am backing Scotland since Berti have left. And he is coach without idea. He was bad in Germany, and I have laughed when I heard that he comes to Scotland. He got one good result with Germany, but there were many other circumstances involved, which I ahve not the time to write about. Odds on Scotland are fine (2,50)and I am this Wednesday with you guys cheering for Scotish team.
Second game is Bosnia against Hungary.
Bosnia is becomming a team and last WC qualifiers they gave teams like Spain and Serbien quite run. Referees have fucked them in those qualies, and its maybe tim efor payback.
Hungary is playing some bad football for years now and I dont see anything why should it change now. I am on Bosnia at 1,75
Third Portugal.
They are world class team and I dont see why Finnland should have any chance to trable them. So not much explenation, but simply Portugal at 1,75
4 th game on my list is Bulgaria against Slowenien. In this one I have nothing to cover it up but pure feeling that Bulgaria will turn the corner and start winning games. I took Bulgaria at 1,75
And last one that I am interested is Russia against Croatia.
Russia with new coach magic Hiddik, and with new wind of changes, should be backable in the future as he is making wonder doesnt matter whom is he coaching. Their liga is each year better as many talented players which are not finding good contacts in 5 major european ligas, are heading to russia. There is plenty of potencial and for sure their coach will make some solid team.
Croatia is in crises, as we running out of talented players. Our liga is week, very week. Players are not playing properly and not exercise properly. Few individuals which are playing around europa are carrying the team. Last saturday three players Olic, Srna and Balaban are cought at 5 am escaping out of camp and went to some club with cheep music and even cheeper girls. Bilic have sent them all home. Add to that that Simunic( 3 yellows) , Simic, Tudor are not able to play and Prso have retired. So Cro line up will be filled with many young talented but not expirienced players. So all points out to go with russia and I would advice all to do so, just because my heavy patriotic feelings I am backing Croatia with draw cover at 2,20.
I played all this games with system 4 out of 5. The hardest clik in my life was betting on Croatia in such circumstances, but listening Splodgenessabounds and their song Delirious made me posible to act this way.
Euro 2008 Qualifiers Wed 6th Sep
are you guy's up for it or what?
). May we expect a 4-1-3-2 formation by Scotland? My main point is that its not easy to score goals in Lithuania and I guess they will be focusing on defensive efforts.
