Czech Republic v Scotland: Strachan’s Side Hope to Banish Euro Blues

Scotland return to action for the first time tonight since their frustrating Euro 2016 Qualifying campaign. Gordon Strachan’s men will be looking to restore some pride after failing to make the cut for this summer’s tournament.

For the Czech Republic, this is a warm-up ahead of the big prize this summer, and a chance for the squad to test themselves against decent opposition. Having topped Group A in qualifying, beating off competition from a tough group which included Iceland, Turkey and the Netherlands, they go into this fixture in enviable form.

For Scotland, Steven Fletcher has pulled out of the squad with an illness, and he isn’t the only experienced head to be missing. Gordon Strachan’s squad contains a number of uncapped players, looking to establish themselves in the absence of big names like Fletcher and Scott Brown.

Dundee’s on-form stopper Scott Bain, Aberdeen midfielder Kenny McLean and Blackburn Rovers striker Tony Watt are among the players who could make their Scotland bow in Prague tomorrow night.

Scotland lost 1-0 on their last visit to the Czech capital in a qualifier for the 2012 European Championships but with several new faces keen to prove themselves for Strachan’s men, this is unlikely to be a straightforward win for the hosts.

Czech boss Pavel Vrba has selected a strong squad for the visit of the Tartan Army, including Reading hitman Matej Vydra and Werder Bremen star Theodor Gebre Selassie in his ranks for the upcoming friendlies against Scotland and Sweden.

The home side are 4/5 for the win while the Scots are 5/2 to emerge triumphant and it’s 12/5 for the draw.

While Scotland will undoubtedly be disappointed not to be joining this Czech side in the Euros this summer, this is a great chance for them to prove themselves as a competitive side against continental heavyweights.

We’re offering a generous 12/1 on Scotland to win and both teams to score, which was previously 9/1.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.