Bookies confident of a Scottish success run in the World Cup qualifer at Hampden

Oct 10 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

ARGUMENTS over whether a penalty was merited in Scotland’s opening World Cup qualifier against Macedonia continue to rage as it’s become evident that, after Holland, three sides will be contesting the Group 9 runners- up spot.

George Burley’s men did well to bounce back against Iceland but another victory in tomorrow’s encounter with Norway at Hampden is crucial if Scotland are to secure their group’s second place.

Bookies are confident they’ll succeed at Hampden, with VCBet posting 11/10 about a home victory as Norway, studded with players familiar with these shores, are priced at a lengthy-looking 11/4 by online firm Jaxx.com. Coral offer the draw at 13/5, attractive enough odds, but such an outcome is likely to please only the visitors: Scotland must register maximum points from their home qualifying matches.

Punters expecting it to be close may fancy the look of bet365’s 11/4 for Scotland to enjoy a one-goal margin of victory, while more robust types can get 10/3 (Sportingbet) against the home side winning when kicking off with a one-goal deficit.

Elsewhere, Blue Square offer 13/5 against the Scots finding the net in both halves and Betfred make James McFadden their 6/1 shot to score the opener.

Jaxx.com mark a tantalising 8/1 about a 2-1 home success, but following stock market turmoil this week, the world is now clearly full of prudent punters – which explains the popularity of Betdirect’s 11/2 for Scotland to record a valuable 1-0 win.

Odds from www.betrescue.com