class=”article_teaser__2t5do”>With everything to play for in the race for a play-off place, Al Hain-Cole expects a tight game between the Tartan Army and Ruttensteiner’s men
Scotland could take a major step towards the play-offs when they welcome Israel to Hampden Park for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier.
The Tartan Army are currently second in Group F, one point ahead of their visitors after six matches played.
Scotland vs Israel latest odds
Having lost just one of their last five games on home turf, Scotland are 9/10 (1.90) favourites with bet365 to establish a four-point cushion between themselves and third place by coming out on top here.
However, Willibald Ruttensteiner’s men are unbeaten in their last four fixtures against this opposition and Israel can be backed at 16/5 (4.20) to leapfrog them into the play-off spot with a victory in Glasgow.
Three of the last four encounters between this duo have resulted in draws, and you can get odds of 23/10 (3.30) on them cancelling each other out once again in this one.
Scotland vs Israel team news
Grant Hanley is suspended after an accumulation of yellow cards, although Scott McTominay is back in contention after missing the last two qualifiers due to injury.
Hatem Elhamed is absent due to suspension for Israel, while Ariel Harush, Eitan Tibi, Orel Dganiand and Omer Atzili are all injured.
Scotland vs Israel preview
Having started this campaign with just one win from the opening four group games, Steve Clarke’s team put themselves in a strong position thanks to successive wins over Moldova and Austria.
However, they were certainly made to sweat for those six points, winning both by a narrow 1-0 margin and needing a penalty to score past the Austrians in Vienna.
In fact, they have only hit the net three times in their last six fixtures – a slightly worrying record as they prepare to take on a defence they have scored past just twice in the four most recent meetings over the last year.
With so much at stake, they will therefore aim to keep things tight and hope to shut down an Israel side that have failed to score in five out of the last 10 away fixtures.
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Scotland vs Israel tips & predictions
All in all, odds of 3/4 (1.75) seem generous on no more than one team getting on target for Scotland’s seventh match in eight, as well as a third in four against Israel.
All odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.