Preview: Scotland vs. Croatia

Hampden Park has not exactly been a fortress for Scotland of late as the Scots have not won there in over two years.

It means that Gordon Strachan's men have not claimed maximum points in front of their own supporters during the ongoing World Cup qualifying phase and their last chance to record a victory comes on Tuesday with the visit of Croatia.

The Scots will be without the injured Shaun Maloney and Jordan Rhodes, which could mean that Everton's Steven Naismith is given the responsibility of leading the attack. Elsewhere, the flanks are expected to be occupied by Ikechi Anya and Chris Burke.

Meanwhile, Croatia, who are guaranteed second place, have a host of players, including striker Mario Mandzukic, just one booking away from suspension. As a result, it could mean that either former Arsenal frontman Eduardo da Silva or Nikica Jelavic will replace the Bayern Munich marksman.

In the four previous meetings between the two nations, Scotland have never been defeated, winning once.

Recent form

Scotland: LLWLLW

Croatia: LLWDWL

Possible starting lineups

Scotland: Marshall; Mulgrew, Whittaker, Martin, Hanley; Burke, Brown, Bannan, Anya; Griffiths, Naismith

Croatia: Pletikosa; Corluka, Vida, Strinic, Lovren; Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Vrsaljko, Kovacic; Eduardo

Sports Mole says: 1-1