Moldova v Scotland predictions: Midfield star can give visitors perfect start

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

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 5pm Friday

Best bet

John McGinn first goalscorer
1pt each-way 7-1 bet365

Team news

Moldova
Olympiakos defender Oleg Reabciuk is banned following his red card against Israel last month.

Scotland
Lyndon Dykes and Ryan Christie are suspended and Ryan Fraser has pulled out of the squad due to injury. Kieran Tierney has recovered from an ankle problem but Grant Hanley (groin) and Scott McTominay (illness) are out.

Match preview

Scotland ended a 23-year wait for an appearance at a major tournament when they qualified for Euro 2020 and Steve Clarke's men have a place in the 2022 World Cup playoffs in their sights as they face Moldova in Chisinau.

The Scots have won their last four matches in Group F and a fifth victory on the trot would seal second place behind Denmark and take them one step closer to next year's finals in Qatar.

Bookmakers certainly expect Scotland to take three points, rating them around 1-5 shots, although punters including them in accumulators should not expect a stress-free 90 minutes.

Scotland's last four wins have all been by a one-goal margin including 1-0 successes at home to Moldova and away to Austria and the Faroe Islands, where Lyndon Dykes scored the only goal in the 86th minute.

The QPR striker notched in all four of Scotland's qualifying wins in September and October but he is suspended, along with Celtic playmaker Ryan Christie, for the trip to Moldova.

Manchester United's Scott McTominay was the hero in last month's 3-2 home victory over Israel, scoring an injury-time winner, but the midfielder has been forced to pull out of the squad due to illness.

Moldova's only point from eight Group F matches came in an opening 1-1 draw at home to the Faroes. They have lost their other three home games by an aggregate score of 10-1 and were hammered 8-0 in Denmark but three of their last four defeats, to Scotland, Israel and the Faroes, were by only a single goal.

Fit-again Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney is set to return to a back three alongside Club Brugge's Jack Hendry, who has impressed against Champions League opponents Paris St-Germain, Leipzig and Manchester City this season, and Scotland are 7-10 to win to nil.

There may be more juice in the odds about Aston Villa's John McGinn opening the scoring. With Dykes and Christie missing, he could play an advanced midfield role off striker Che Adams and his goal against Israel last month was his 11th strike in his last 24 competitive internationals.

Key stat

Four of Scotland's last five international wins have been by a 1-0 scoreline.

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport