World Cup Qualifier: Wales v Scotland

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
World Cup Qualifier: Wales v Scotland World Cup Qualifiers, International	12/10/2012 20:45	total goals	Under 2.5 goals	1.67	Bet at Stan James
Betting prediction was written by Dan Adair

WALES - SCOTLAND PREDICTION STATS

2012 Form
Wales P5 W0 D0 L5 GF1 GA13 GD-12- Average goals per game:2.80
Scotland P5 W1 D3 L1 GF6 GA9 GD-3 - Average goals per game: 3.00

TEAM NEWS AND RUN OF PLAY

Wales are in dire form and have had a 2012 to forget, but look into the form and you can see that apart from Costa Rica all opponents have been 1st class teams. Wales have been hampered by injuries to key players this year to with stars Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and Craig Bellamy all missing games. Only Bellamy is a doubt this time so Wales will be looking to kickstart their qualifying campaign. The two fixtures so far have seen Wales face a top quality Belgium side and holding their own until a riduculous red card for a nothing tackle by James Collins and a 6-1 hammering away at Serbia. A game where Wales were by and large hopeless.
Scotland are boosted by the return to international football of two quality Premiership players, Steven Fletcher and Darren Fletcher. A few players are missing however in Steven Naismith (Suspended) and Grant Hanley, Robert Snodgrass and Jordan Rhodes (Injuries) Like Wales the Scottish are without a win in qualification. With two opening draws they at least have a platform to build and three points at their near neighbours would be a welcome boost. Scotland gave two battling displays in their opening games against former Yugoslavia nations Serbia and Macedonia. In both games they could have taken the points with a bit more clinacal finishing so the signs are looking good.

1X2 BETTING PREDICTION

Scotland at 2.71 (Pinnacle) is the selection here in this tight Gaelic derby match. Both sides will have a right go at each other in what will be a typical "Battle of Britain" clash. Wales have the best player on the pitch no doubt in Gareth Bale but Scotland have more quality spread around the park and this will be the difference. Levein should give Steven Fletcher the start as he is a quality finisher and Scotland will need to convert any chances. Of the two sides Scotland are solid in the defence and midfield and although a touch less creativity in the attack the away side are fancied to grab their first win of the campaign.

CLICK HERE To bet 2.71 Scotland (Pinnacle)

ASIAN HANDICAP PREDICTION

Scotland (0) is the pick here at 1.93(188bet) In a game of such local magnitude the draw no bet is a safer option. This game is very tight and many bookmakers cannot seperate the sides. The form is with Scotland as they have only suffered the one loss so far in 5 games in 2012 and with the returning Fletcher's the signs are pointing to an away win. Wales rely too much on Bale and will struggle again. We have the money back for the draw here so its a bet worth taking in a local derby.

CLICK HERE To bet1.93 Scotland 0 (188bet)

TOTAL GOALS PREDICTION

Under 2.50 1.67 (StanJames) is the bet here. With the exception of two hammerings (Serbia 6-1 for Wales and USA 5-1 Scotland) there are few goals about for both sides. With fairly solid defensive lines and few attacking options of note there are likely to be few goals here. Looking through both teams results and you can see a pattern of low scoring games. Indeed in 10 recent matches there have been 7 games under 2.50, with the aforemention goalfests ramping up the average stats. In a local derby such as this expect it to be very, very tight.

CLICK HERE To bet Under 2.5 goals at 1.67(Stanjames)