Wales Scotland Preview
Location: Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
Overview: Both teams have had poor starts to their European qualifying campaigns, with neither side yet to register a victory in both games. Wales began their qualification campaign with a 2-0 home defeat, against Belgium, while Scotland's first game was a drab draw against Serbia. Wales second game was a 6-1 thrashing against Serbia, while Scotland struggled to a draw against a Macedonian side, who on another day, could have won the game comfortably. Due to these results both sides are desperate for a win, or else their chances of qualification are slim, to say the least.
Wales News
Wales are struggling with injuries, with both Wayne Hennesey and Boaz Myhill out injured. As such, Aberdeen goalkeeper, Jason Brown is expected to take up the position in goals. Aaron Ramsey has also been replaced as captain by Swansea defender Ashley Williams. Gareth Bale, and Adam Matthews are both struggling with knocks, but if fit, they are expected to start on Friday.
Scotland News
The main news in the Scotland camp, is that the Fletchers have returned. Darren from a chronic bowel condition, and Steven from an international exile, after a dispute with management. Despite this, Steven Fletcher is not expected to start, however Darren Fletcher is expected to take up his role in the centre of midfield. In other Scotland news, Kris Commons has also been recalled to the squad, after Robert Snodgrass and Jordan Rhodes pulled out with injury, and Steven Naismith was suspended after elbowing a Serbian player, in the draw last month.
Expected Line-Up
Wales
Brown
Matthews, Williams, Nyatanga, Gunter
Allen, Ledley, Ramsey, Bale
Morison, Vokes
Scotland
McGregor
Hutton, Caldwell, Berra, Mulgrew
Morrison, D Fletcher, Adam, Commons
Brown
Miller
Formguide (Last Five Games)
Wales - L,L,L,L,L
Scotland - D,D,W,L,D
Some Random Facts
Chris Coleman, is looking to avoid becoming the first Welsh manager to lose their first 5 games in charge of the national side.
The last time Scotland visited the Cardiff City Stadium, they left with a 3-0 defeat.
In their senior international matches at Cardiff City Stadium, Wales have won three and lost four games.
In all games between these sides, Scotland have tasted victory 61 times, compared to 21 wins for Wales, with a draw being the outcome on 23 occasions.
However, since the end of the British Home Championship in 1984, these teams have faced each other six times, with Wales tasting victory on four occasions, including a memorable 4-0 victory at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in 2004.
There will be 5,300 Scots (or "Tartan Army" if you insist on being called that) in attendance for the game, a record figure for any away support for a match at the new home of the Bluebirds.
Predictions?
Team Line-ups?
Wales - Scotland Preview
posted on 11/10/12
"Which meansLevein will pplay Miller up top on his own with late-call up Chris Iwelumo coming on as a 89minute sub..."
More than likely.
Really can't see him picking Fletcher.
posted on 11/10/12
I'd drop Adam and pitch in morrison apart from that bluenose I gree with you.
Brooney n Forrest never trained today,Scott will probz have to take an injection to play
posted on 11/10/12
"I'd drop Adam and pitch in morrison apart from that bluenose I gree with you."
I'd play Morrison as well. I just can't see Levein dropping Adam.
posted on 11/10/12
Will he have the bottle n play fletch n commons
posted on 11/10/12
Doubt he will.
I think he will persist with Miller up front.
posted on 11/10/12
Millers injured is he no?
I fookin hope he is anyway
posted on 11/10/12
Am going to miss the game. My faither in law got us tickets for Ireland v Ze Germans
Come on the h-u-n-s
posted on 11/10/12
To quote Levein, he said he approached Fletcher to come back because "he can make us a better team".
Don't think anyone would disagree with that but is he so dumb he'd actually purposely field a weaker team, by his own admission, just to prove a point?
I certainly hope not. For me, Commons has no chance of starting but as the game grows closer I have a sneaky suspicion he might just go with Fletcher simply as he's so on fire right now.
Maybe that's just the optimist in me but the midfield has to be far quicker moving the ball and more creative than the last 2 games that's for sure.
posted on 11/10/12
"To quote Levein, he said he approached Fletcher to come back because "he can make us a better team"."
Aye, but he meant Darren, not Steven
posted on 12/10/12
Don't think anyone would disagree with that but is he so dumb he'd actually purposely field a weaker team, by his own admission, just to prove a point?
----------------------------
Not dumb, but I can see him being that stubborn.
Normally I'd agree with it too, the way Fletcher behaved was ridiculous and on any other occasion I'd agree with benching him but we simply can't afford to tonight. Especially when our other option is Miller.