Tuesday European World Cup Qualifiers – Copybet
The final World Cup qualifiers in Groups C and J take place on Tuesday, with both Scotland and Wales facing huge games on home soil.
Scotland know a win over Denmark at Hampden Park will seal automatic qualification, with a back-up of a play-off spot already confirmed.
Meanwhile, Wales’ automatic hopes look to have slipped away, but a win over North Macedonia will see them make the play-offs.
Scotland vs Denmark
It’s winner takes all at Hampden Park on Tuesday, with Denmark holding a one-point advantage at the top of Group C.
A 2-2 home draw with Belarus was a big setback for Brian Riemer’s men, who now head to Glasgow knowing a defeat will see them slip into the play-offs.
Scotland also slipped up at the weekend, going down 3-2 in Greece despite racking up 12 shots and winning eight corners.
It means automatic qualification is on the line on Tuesday, with Steve Clarke’s squad looking to maintain an impressive record against their opponents.
Scotland, who drew 0-0 in the reverse fixture, have won their last three home games against Denmark, including a 2-0 win in November 2021.
Clarke’s men had been on a five-game unbeaten run until that defeat in Piraeus and have scored 12 goals in their last four matches.
Denmark have conceded just three goals in their five qualifying matches, with two of those coming in their draw with Belarus.
Wales vs North Macedonia
Belgium currently top Group J, going into the final round of matches, and only a home defeat to Liechtenstein would allow the leaders to miss out on automatic qualification.
North Macedonia remain unbeaten going into Tuesday’s crucial clash in Cardiff, but their four draws have given Wales a chance of finishing in the top two.
Craig Bellamy’s side were not at their best on Saturday, but collected a crucial 1-0 win in Liechtenstein to keep alive their World Cup hopes.
Bellamy had started his reign as Wales boss with a nine-game unbeaten run, with their only two losses of this campaign coming home and away to leaders Belgium.
It’s worth noting that Tuesday’s opponents have the best defensive record in the group, conceding just three goals in their opening seven games.
The only previous meeting on Welsh soil came in October 2013, when Wales ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a second-half goal from Simon Church and it would not be a surprise to see an equally tight scoreline this time around.