Scotland v Moldova predictions: Visitors pose little threat to in need Scots

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Scotland v Moldova in World Cup qualifying Group F on Saturday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football, 7.45pm Saturday

Best bet

Scotland to win to nil
2pts 4-6 Betfred

Team news

Scotland
Nathan Patterson, Stephen O'Donnell and John McGinn are available after completing self isolation protocols.

Moldova
Defender Igor Armas and midfielder Vadim Rata are available after suspensions.

Match preview

Scotland's hopes of automatic World Cup qualification have faded after their 2-0 loss away to Denmark but they can stay in the race for the playoffs by defeating Moldova at Hampden Park.

Group F is not quite at the halfway stage but the direction of travel is pretty clear with leaders Denmark five points clear and Israel, Austria and Scotland battling for second place.

Moldova have taken one point – a 1-1 draw at home to Faroe Islands – although they have shown modest improvement in recent months.

They were 1-0 friendly winners at home to Azerbaijan in June - ending a winless sequence of 20 games – and lost 2-0 at home to Austria on Wednesday.

The Austria fixture was the sixth game in the job for Moldova's Italian head coach Roberto Bordin and he can point to the improvements made since his side were hammered 8-0 away to Denmark in March.

However, there are limits to what he can achieve.

The Moldovan squad's top scorer – seven goal attacking midfielder Radu Ginsari – was hauled off after 59 minutes against Austria – and the next best hope for a goal could be centre-back Igor Armas, who has netted five times in 70 internationals.

Moldova must attempt to keep things tight but Scotland will press them high and should eventually find a breakthrough.

A combination of injuries and Covid-19 protocols forced Scotland boss Steve Clarke to select a disjointed side against the Danes with Andy Robertson playing out of position at right wingback.

However, recognised right wing-backs Nathan Patterson and Stephen O'Donnell have returned to contention, allowing Robertson to revert to the left flank.

Robertson's deliveries are a key part of Scotland's attacking armoury and there should always be at least two targets to hit with Lyndon Dykes joining Che Adams up front.

Moldova should know what is coming but they are unlikely to stifle the Scots, who can prevail without conceding.

Key stat

Moldova have lost 12 of their last 13 away games without scoring

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