Croatia blew any chance they had of qualifying for Brazil 2014 automatically when beaten at home on Friday and will now have to do it the hard way via the play-offs.
Igor Stimac’s side are actually not yet guaranteed a place in the draw for the two-legged deciders but a loss to Belgium last time out consigned them to the runners-up spot and motivation must be lacking somewhat for the tip to Glasgow.
There is no doubt the Croats are superior to their upcoming hosts but Scotland managed to cause an almighty shock in Zagreb in June when triumphing 1-0, Robert Snodgrass with the only goal, and might be able to claim another famous triumph in Group A.
It has been a hugely disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign for Scotland but they were really up against it from the start in a very tough section, the Belgians, in particular, impressing throughout, and there has at least been signs of improvement under new manager Gordon Strachan.
It has been the Scot’s home form that has let them down, unusually timid at Hampden Park, but Strachan will be after a rousing finale to thrill the Tartan Army and he might just get one.
Strachan’s side have conceded just 12 goals in nine matches in what has been a low-scoring group and I expect them to be well organised once more.
Strachan’s counterpart, Stimac, must decide whether to risk any of the nine players just one booking away from missing a potential play-off first leg, including the likes of Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic, and that doubt alone makes the visitors vulnerable.
It is hard to place your faith in a side that has won just twice in nine matches but Scotland showed plenty at Wembley when narrowly touched-off by England at the start of the season, losing 3-2 having led, and Strachan will not settle for a half-hearted effort with qualification for Euro 2016 very much coming into focus already.
With Croatia around the 5/4 mark to secure their place in the play-offs I am willing to take them on and the home team should be good enough for at least a point despite often fining goals hard to come by, especially with Jordan Rhodes on the sidelines.
2pts Lay Croatia (vs. Scotland) @ 2.30 (Betfair)