Preview: Scotland vs. Wales

As many Premier League matches have this season, when these two nations met back in October, it turned into the Gareth Bale show.

It looked as though visiting Scotland were going to leave Wales with a 1-0 victory, but the Tottenham Hotspur winger scored two late goals to give his nation all three points.

It proved to be Wales's only bright point of the qualification phase so far considering that Chris Coleman's side have lost their other three matches. What's more, they also have an injury doubt over talisman Bale, who is struggling with an ankle problem. Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen has also been ruled out with a shoulder complaint.

Not that Scotland have fared much better. They are keeping Wales off the bottom of the group with a return of two points from their four outings. However, the Tartan Army will be hoping that Gordon Strachan's first competitive match in charge will spark a change in fortune.

Having had a number of players pull out of the squad because of fitness concerns, Strachan may give Hull City's George Boyd the chance to prove himself on the international stage.

It may be worth noting that Wales have won four of the last five meetings between these two nations.

Recent form

Scotland: DDLLWW

Wales: LLLWLL

Possible starting lineups

Scotland: Marshall; Mulgrew, Caldwell, Martin, Fox; Adam, Snodgrass, Commons, McArthur; Boyd, Rhodes

Wales: Myhill; Gunter, Collins, Williams, Davies; Ledley, Ramsey, Collison, Robson-Kanu; Bale; Bellamy

Sports Mole says: 2-2