Scotland v Netherlands Betting: Second half to prove key in exhibition clash

Scotland play host to Netherlands in an international friendly fixture at Pittodrie on Thursday night.

Both of these nations missed out on second place in their respective World Cup qualification groups by virtue of goal difference, with Scotland pipped at the post by Slovakia while Netherlands' 2-0 victory against Sweden in their final group game was not enough to dislodge Janne Andersson's men from a play-off place; as such, neither nation will be involved in next summer's World Cup - and both of these sides are in transition.

Former Cardiff City manager, Malky Mackay - now Performance Director at the Scottish Football Association - will take charge of the Scots for this clash whilst Dick Advocaat, who took up the reins of his national side for the third time earlier this year, will likely leave his role as Netherlands boss after this match; the 70-year-old manager, who led the Dutch to third place in the 2014 World Cup, will be determined to bow out with a win in what could well prove to be his final fixture in football.

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Advocaat, who managed Rangers for four years, lost just one match at Pittodrie - the home venue of Aberdeen - during his time in Scotland, so the venue will hold many happy memories for the Dutch boss and dabblebet offer 23/20 (2.15) that Advocaat's side secure a win in this one.

Scotland were victorious in their last outing at Pittodrie - a 1-0 win against Estonia in what was Gordon Strachan's first match in charge; the former Celtic boss, of course, left his position with the national team last month and Malky Mackay will hope that the team's return to Pittodrie is a good omen.

The Scots can be backed at 9/4 (3.25) with dabblebet to come out on top against the Dutch, while the same firm go 11/5 (3.20) that this friendly fixture ends in stalemate.

Scotland have scored two or more goals in four of their last five fixtures and dabblebet offer 11/5 (3.20) that the trend continues in this clash, while the same firm offer 6/5 (2.20) that there are at least three goals scored when these two teams meet.

Scottish stalwarts Darren Fletcher and Leigh Griffiths, who has scored four goals in his last five appearances for his country, miss out through injury and Scotland's squad includes a number of new faces as Mackay seeks to unearth some fresh talent, while the Dutch will be without their long-time talisman - Arjen Robben - who announced his retirement from international football last month.

With nothing at stake and both sides still licking their wounds having fallen short in World Cup qualification, Thursday's tussle could take time to warm up, therefore the even money (2.0) quote from dabblebet for the match to be level at half time could represent good value for punters ahead of what could prove to be something of a low-key international friendly fixture.