World Cup Qualifying preview: Scotland - The Netherlands

By Chris Myson

Kick-Off: Wednesday, September 09, 19:30.
Hampden Park, Glasgow.

Scotland’s fate to be decided

Scotland’s World Cup fate will almost certainly be decided by the conclusion Wednesday evening’s qualifying game against the Netherlands at Hampden.

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Group 9’s top two teams meet in Glasgow playing in entirely different circumstances to each other after a qualifying campaign which has seen the Dutch dominate.

They go into their final game having won all seven of their qualifiers so far, having conceded just two goals in the process. Victory here will hand them the rare feat of completing a qualifying campaign with a 100% winning record, but the hard work is already done – their place in South Africa is safe and secure.

It is a different situation for the Scots, who have already had one must-win match in the last few days. Their 2-0 victory over FYR Macedonia on Saturday wasn’t entirely convincing after a poor first half performance, although the morale-boosting win kept their faint hopes alive.

James McFadden secured Scotland's win over FYR Macedonia, but he will be absent against the Dutch.

A draw against Holland would secure second place in the group, which was generally accepted as the target at the start of this latest bid to reach a major tournament for the first time since 1998. However, a solitary point is highly unlikely to be enough for the Scots to be one of the eight best runners-up.

Therefore, they have to win to be sure of a place in the play-offs, which would see them play another second place side over two legs with the winner joining the Dutch at next summer’s showpiece.

Scotland know they will need to produce a performance on a par with those in the home and away victories over France in the last campaign if they are to be in with a chance of a famous win against the visitors, who are ranked as the 3rd best in the world.

Players to watch

Scotland – Darren Fletcher

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher is one member of the Scotland squad completely at home on the big stage given his experience in the Premier League and Champions League with the Red Devils. The hosts need Fletcher to step up to the mark and put in an accomplished performance against their technically gifted opponents.

Netherlands - Rafael van der Vaart

Rafael van der Vaart is a vital player for Holland, with the 26-year-old having already racked up 70 caps for his national side. The Real Madrid playmaker’s creativity could be crucial for the Dutch if they want to break down what is likely to be a well organised and disciplined Scotland line-up.

WCQ form guide

Scotland

Scotland 2-0 FYR Macedonia
Norway 4-0 Scotland
Scotland 2-1 Iceland
Netherlands 3-0 Scotland

Netherlands

Netherlands 2-0 Norway
Iceland 1-2 Netherlands
Netherlands 4-0 FYR Macedonia
Netherlands 3-0 Scotland

Team news

Scotland

Scotland are hopeful that Craig Gordon (thigh) and Scott Brown (ankle) will be fit, and they will be assessed in the build-up to kick-off.

Steven Fletcher is expected to recover from an illness, while Gary Caldwell is back after suspension.

James McFadden, though, is ruled out of the game through a suspension of his own, while Calum Davidson has withdrawn due to injury.

Gavin Rae and Graham Dorrans, both of whom are currently playing in the English Championship, have been drafted into the squad as cover.

Netherlands

The ankle injury to Inter star Wesley Sneijder is not as serious as first feared so the Dutch hope he will be able to take to the Hampden Park pitch on Wednesday.

PSV Eindhoven’s Ibrahim Afellay is definitely out of the match through injury.

Prediction

Scotland know that they need to win if they are to make the play-offs this year, so the pressure is on them. They have a good record at home, and with a capacity crowd behind them, a victory is not unthinkable.

The Netherlands have won all of their qualifiers, though, and are formidable opponents for anyone in world football, not just the inconsistent Scots.

The opening period of the game could be crucial to the match’s outcome – I’m going to go for an entertaining draw, which is unlikely to be enough for hosts to reach the play-offs.

Scotland 1-1 Netherlands