Scotland v Lithuania: Tartan Army will have to work for the three points
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After a thumping 5-1 win away at Malta to get their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign up and running, Scotland face a much tougher task in the shape of Lithuania.
With games against Slovenia, Slovakia, and of course, England, still to come, Gordon Strachan’s men must take advantage of a favourable run of opening fixtures.
But although Lithuania have never reached a major Finals, their recent qualifying records demands they be given respect at Hampden Park.
The Lithuanians have finished fourth out of six in each of their last two World Cup qualifying groups, reaching double figure points on each occasion.
Only a late lapse saw Slovenia fight back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in their opening match of this campaign, while Poland were also held to a draw in a pre-Euro 2016 friendly.
Scotland though, should have enough quality in hand, and are 2/5 favourites with the bookies, with the visitors at 15/2.
The two sides have met regularly in the past, including each of the qualifying stages for Euros 2004, 2008 and 2012.
Of those six clashes, the Tartan Army have won four and drawn one of the last five, although rarely has victory come easily.
Three of those Scottish victories, including twice at home, have come by one-goal margins, and it’s 4/1 Strachan sees out another 1-0 win, while 2-1 is 8/1.
Robert Snodgrass was the hero in Malta, netting the opener before scoring twice more to complete a fine hat-trick.
The set-piece ace is 4/1 to score first again, while Celtic hotshot Leigh Griffiths is the bookies most likely man to break the deadlock at 10/3.
Lithuania won’t be a rollover, but if the Scots are to make a real fist of qualification, then six points against Edgaras Jankauskus’ men are a must.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
