What more could we want out of a football match? A huge fixture between two local rivals, contested between two extremely evenly matched teams with similar ambitions. Something to savour for supporters and neutrals alike. This Friday’s World Cup Qualification clash between Wales and Scotland in Group A ticks all of these boxes.
There’s nothing between the two in FIFA’s World Rankings. Admittedly this is a notoriously flawed system (England 5th!?) but it does give us an indication of exactly how close these two teams are, and not just geographically.
Wales have the home advantage, the game will be played at the Cardiff City Stadium, but it’s almost impossible to pick a winner. Both have had a faltering start to their respective qualification campaigns (Wales losing to Belgium and Serbia, Scotland managing only draws against Serbia and Macedonia) and are in need of a change of fortunes.
Both will have an expectant fan base expecting and demanding a win. And while it’s early days in the race for Brazil 2014 a loss for either would be hard to recover from. Whereas a potential winner could find their campaign well and truly back on track.
From front to back the individual battles are where this game will be won and lost, but deciding who has the strongest side is far from easy.
Goalkeeper
Scotland’s first choice ‘keeper is Allan McGregor, formerly of Rangers and now plying his trade for Besiktas. The Scot is no stranger to the international scene with 24 caps to his name. With Blackpool’s Matt Gilks a capable and experienced understudy and young David Marshall of Cardiff City making up the three, Scotland look strong between the sticks.
The same cannot be said for Wales, with first choice Wayne Hennessey of Wolves and second choice Boaz Myhill (of West Brom) out injured, manager Chris Coleman will turn to Aberdeen’s Jason Brown to fill the sizeable void. Earning only his 4th cap, Brown will be keen for the chance to impress but would probably have rather done it in less pressurised circumstances. Lewis Price of Crystal Palace and Owain Fôn Williams of Tranmere Rovers are his back up.
Defenders
For Wales, their most notable defender is also an absentee from their back line. Top flight experience is not something to be taken for granted by either side so the loss of West Ham’s James Collins will be felt. With that in mind, Wales will be more reliant than ever on their new captain, Swansea City’s Ashley Williams. Ably backed up by the likes of Sam Rickets of Bolton Wanderers and Adam Matthews of Celtic.
Scotland will be looking to Gary Caldwell of Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa’s forgotten man Alan Hutton to shepherd what is a relatively inexperienced defensive outfit. Charlie Mulgrew of Celtic and Danny Fox of Southampton will also have a part to play but it’s probably fair to assess that neither of these sides will want to rely too heavily on their defence. Good news for the neutral at least.
Midfield
It’s in the middle of the pitch that both of these teams can rightly lay claim to being strongest. Either team has the ability to pass the other off the park if they are on song. It could well be that whoever wins the midfield battle will win the match.
Wales will be heavily reliant on their North London pairing, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey of Spurs and Arsenal respectively. Both will be considered in some circles to be the best player on the field on Friday night. Bale has shown decent form for his club so far this season while Ramsey has remained an important part of the Arsenal side despite increased competition.
They will be joined by Liverpool’s Joe Allen who, like the rest of the Anfield side, hasn’t quite hit the ground running this season but is certainly one of the most efficient passers of the ball on his day. Hal Robson-Kanu of Reading and Joe Ledley of Celtic also have a good chance of being involved.
Scotland may not quite have anyone who can match the star power of Bale and Ramsey but there are decent midfielders throughout their squad. Charlie Adam (Stoke), Scott Brown (Celtic), Sean Maloney (Wigan) and James Morrison (West Brom) could all conceivably be considered starters. Robert Snodgrass of Norwich misses out through injury but the Scots are boosted by the return of their leader Darren Fletcher, who’s return for Man United after 10 months out through illness has come just in time for him to be available here.
Forwards
Up front it’s a tale of two strikers, one missing for Wales and one recalled for Scotland.
Craig Bellamy, by far Wales’ most talented and most influential forward, misses out through injury whilst Scotland are buoyed by the return from exile of Steven Fletcher. Fletcher seemed to have no way back to the international set up after a fall out with manager Craig Levein. But time heals all wounds as they say and Levein has extended the olive branch to Fletcher. The timing couldn’t be better for Scotland as they now have one of the most in form players in the Premier League amongst their fold.
Wales will have to rely on Sam Vokes of Burnley and Steve Morrison of Norwich for goals whereas Scotland also have Kenny Miller (Vancouver Whitecaps), Jamie Mackie (QPR) and Steven Naismith (Everton) to fall back on. Should Sunderland’s Fletcher not be enough that is.
It’s probably fair to say that Scotland just (and I do mean JUST) have the edge on paper. But (cliché alert) football isn’t played on paper and this is truly anyone’s game. Both teams contain potential match winners, all of which should be hungry to feature in an international tournament.
Nobody can qualify simply by winning this game, Wales face Croatia after this and Scotland travel to Belgium. Still, one nation could be as good as eliminated, left reeling and with a seemingly insurmountable summit to climb. A World Cup in Brazil in 2014 is waiting. Either Wales or Scotland could still make it, but they won’t both go. Game on.