Scotland vs Malta

[Smartie]

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Don't think too much emphasis is made of it, especially when quality is so hard to come by in the Scotland squad. Would probably sit Griffiths out of this one as we are absolutely goosed if we don't have him against the better teams.

I'd take him off if we were lucky enough to be 2 goals up.

Scotland have ballsed up against enough weak opponents over the years for me to want to risk sitting anyone out on purpose.

One game at a time, and you deal with what is in front of you with who you have each time.

[theonlywayisup]

As others have said, I find it odd that someone would come onto a thread about Scotland v Malta and state "couldn't give a XYZ" about it.

It's the same whether you start a thread about the Champions League or the English Premiership. If you're not interested, then please don't post. Many who are interested, are not interested in your "couldn't give a XYZ" post.

Anyway back on topic "C'mon Scotland".

[bingo70]

Am I right in saying there's little difference if Slovakia get a draw or get beat tonight? I think it'd only be a problem for us if slovakia win?

[SChibs]

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Am I right in saying there's little difference if Slovakia get a draw or get beat tonight? I think it'd only be a problem for us if slovakia win?

If they lose and we win it give us more leeway. We'd be 1 point behind then if we beat them at home 2 ahead. That way we'd potentially go through with a draw away to Slovenia assuming they win vs Malta but not by too many

[Ryan69]

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Am I right in saying there's little difference if Slovakia get a draw or get beat tonight? I think it'd only be a problem for us if slovakia win?

Goal difference could still play a factor I believe....so scoring a few would be very helpful.

[Velma Dinkley]

If we finish 2nd without winning our last 3 games we would likely be the worst placed runner up and goal difference would be irrelevant.

[Johnny_Leith]

It's going to take a bit of a miracle to qualify now I think but I've witnessed Hibs win the Scottish cup and Leicester won the premier league in recent years so anything is possible!

[Mr White]

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Personally I'll just be happy when this international break is over and we can get back to the football that matters. International football does nothing for me.

Really? It seems to keep you quite busy with commenting and starting threads about it on this forum.

Anyway I hope results go our way tonight and we see some more decent performances like we did on friday to build some momemtum ahead of next month's double header.

[Keith_M]

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Goal difference could still play a factor I believe....so scoring a few would be very helpful.

[Neily1982]

I could be wrong here but is it not a case of goals scored against the team at the bottom of the group does not count towards the goal the difference?

[cabbageandribs1875]

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I could be wrong here but is it not a case of goals scored against the team at the bottom of the group does not count towards the goal the difference?

thought that myself, if the points don't count then surely the goals F/A don't either

[mcohibs]

Matches against the team that finishes bottom in the group are discounted if we finish second. So obviously we need three points tonight to increase our chances of finishing second but the number of goals we win by won't matter

[Lancs Harp]

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I could be wrong here but is it not a case of goals scored against the team at the bottom of the group does not count towards the goal the difference?

I think it used to be the case when in the past some groups had 6 teams in them and some had 5 but this time around there are 6 teams in each group so all matches will count.

[--------]

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Really? It seems to keep you quite busy with commenting and starting threads about it on this forum.

Anyway I hope results go our way tonight and we see some more decent performances like we did on friday to build some momemtum ahead of next month's double header.

I haven't been at all interested in Scotland's performances or results lately, and I don't expect the team to qualify for this WC, but a revival of fortunes for the Scotland team would do the game in Scotland as a whole no harm at all.

It might even persuade me to take a wee bit notice of them every now and again.

[SChibs]

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Matches against the team that finishes bottom in the group are discounted if we finish second. So obviously we need three points tonight to increase our chances of finishing second but the number of goals we win by won't matter

Might matter if it comes down to us and slovakia on the same points

[mcohibs]

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Might matter if it comes down to us and slovakia on the same points

True. What I should have said was that if we have already secured second place then the number of goals we score against Malta won't help us toward being one of the eight best-placed second teams

[Smartie]

Do we not need to pump Slovakia to avoid falling behind them in the head to head?

Not sure if goal difference is likely to make much difference.

They beat us 3-0. Reversing that will be a big ask.

[Lancs Harp]

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Do we not need to pump Slovakia to avoid falling behind them in the head to head?

Not sure if goal difference is likely to make much difference.

They beat us 3-0. Reversing that will be a big ask.

Head to head doesnt really come into it. Its GD and GF ahead of that.

[Smartie]

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Head to head doesnt really come into it. Its GD and GF ahead of that.

Brilliant.

That's cheered me up a bit.

I'm a bit more optimistic now.

C'mon England!

[danhibees1875]

On my way to my first Scotland game ever. Having looked at the leagues, I don't think we have much chance of the qualifiers regardless - but hoping for an emphatic victory tonight.

[Ringothedog]

This is how it is decided

1.Points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss)
2.Overall goal difference
3.Overall goals scored
4.Points in matches between tied teams
5.Goal difference in matches between tied teams
6.Goals scored in matches between tied teams
7.Away goals scored in matches between tied teams (if the tie is only between two teams in home-and-away league format)
8.Fair play points first yellow card: minus 1 point
indirect red card (second yellow card): minus 3 points
direct red card: minus 4 points
yellow card and direct red card: minus 5 points

9.Drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee

[Lancs Harp]

If the results go right for Scotland tonight that will be an epic few days in early October with a home game with Slovakia and an away game in Slovenia and wins needed in both. Two potentially cracking games.

[lord bunberry]

I just wish we could start our qualifying campaigns better. We always seem to finish strongly in our groups.

[Lancs Harp]

Goal difference at the moment is Slovakia +9, Scotland +2 so a bit of work to do on that. So ideally Scotland could do with banging a few in tonight.

[cabbageandribs1875]

assuming all results go our way tonight can i be first in the waiting list for tickets for the game v slovakia, ta :)

[IGRIGI]

From what I've read if it comes down to goal difference it won't matter anyway as we're likely to be the worst runner-up.

[SteveHFC]

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On my way to my first Scotland game ever. Having looked at the leagues, I don't think we have much chance of the qualifiers regardless - but hoping for an emphatic victory tonight.

Enjoy mate.

I'm currently on my way through the now. Buzzing.

[Lancs Harp]

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From what I've read if it comes down to goal difference it won't matter anyway as we're likely to be the worst runner-up.

If Scotland win their remaining three games they wont be the worse runner up.

[danhibees1875]

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Enjoy mate.

I'm currently on my way through the now. Buzzing.

Just in case it's rubbish I'm on my way through with enough time to get to Wetherspoons for a couple hours at least.

[SJNB Hibby]

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I think too much emphasis is placed on this kind of thing.

You need a squad of sufficient and quality and depth to withstand suspension and injury - it's part of the game.

If anyone pussyfoots around trying not to get booked, that is when problems arise.

Full-blooded, get intae them, win tonight then the next game takes care of itself.

It is inevitable that we will miss players over the next 2 games, presumably our opponents will too.

Or get 3 early goals and sub 3 of them---esp Leigh