Scotland can hold Poland at Hampden, but not Robert Lewandowski
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Scotland head into their penultimate group game with Poland, knowing that even if they win their remaining two fixtures it may not be enough to secure a play-off spot.
The Scots sit four points behind Ireland who currently occupy third, but with the Irish facing Germany and then Poland in the last pair of games, Gordon Strachan’s men are far from down and out.
The Tartan Army held Poland to a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture nearly a year ago, and only Italy, Spain and Germany have won a European Championship qualifier on Scottish soil in the 21st century.
Defeat for the hosts would end their Euro 2016 ambitions with a game to go, and they’re 13/8 to claim the win, with Poland the same price for victory.
A repeat of last year’s draw is 2/1 with Ladbrokes while a very plausible score draw is 7/2.
Scotland gave Germany a real battle in their last qualifier, eventually defeated 3-2 in front of a roaring Hampden crowd.
The Glasgow venue has been rather successful for Scotland since the turn of the century, and they’ve netted in every European Championship home qualifier since November 1999.
With that in mind, Ladbrokes have boosted Scotland to win and both teams to score from 9/2 to 6/1.
Will both teams score? The omens are looking good. Scotland haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last five games and we haven’t yet mentioned a certain Polish striker.
Robert Lewandowski has stolen all the headlines in recent weeks. The Bayern Munich striker is currently top scorer in the Bundesliga and the Euro 2016 qualifiers, while only Cristiano Ronaldo has more in this year’s Champions League.
The 27-year-old has netted 16 goals in his last eight appearances for club and country, and Ladbrokes have boosted the in-form marksman to score and Poland to win from 13/5 to 7/2.
Unsurprisingly Lewandowski is 9/2 favourite to score first, and 6/4 to net anytime.
Scottish hopes fall upon Leigh Griffiths, Steven Fletcher and Jordan Rhodes, all of whom have a claim for a starting place and are each 11/2 to score the opening goal, with the trio each 11/5 anytime.
Those who fancy Crystal Palace’s James McArthur to score for the second international in succession can back the 28-year-old at 7/1 anytime and 22/1 to bag an unlikely first goal of the match.
Meanwhile, Ladbrokes are again running their Sharp Shooter offer for international qualifiers involving home nations which are broadcast live. Back a player to score first and if that player nets the first goal in the game inside the opening 25 minutes, Ladbrokes will double your odds!
For full Sharp Shooter T&Cs click here.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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