Home and Away: Back the Welsh to crack Strach

 

Jonno Turner looks at international action taking place in Europe and South America as he compiles two picks to kick start the weekend in style.

 

We're off to Scotland for our penultimate pick of the week - as Gordon Strachan's side welcome Wales to Hampden Park in the home boss' first competitive game as manager.

 

The Scots have won just two of their last half a dozen outings, and will be looking to avenge a 2-1 loss to the Welsh in this reverse fixture back in October.

 

That leaves Strachan's side sitting bottom of their World Cup qualifying group, having secured just two points from their opening four games.

 

And having laboured to draws against Serbia and Macedonia on their own patch, the Scottish faithful will be desperate to see their side put in a positive performance here.

 

Wales travel north in decent form having won two of their last three - but have been a little off-colour on the road of late, and that could explain the big price available on Chris Coleman's side.

 

The Red Dragons are also faltering in the qualifying group, and sit one place above their hosts, with a point more in the bag - but those victories will have given them some momentum ahead of this clash.

 

History certainly favours the visitors, and they have not lost to the Scottish since 1984 - and, importantly, they have Gareth Bale fit for this tie.

 

The Welsh wizard needs no introduction, but as the only genuine world class player on the pitch this evening, he is likely to be instrumental in the outcome of the game. It will be interesting to see how the Scots cope with his ability, following a media storm this week when Dundee boss John Brown encouraged his countrymen to 'take his legs off'.

 

With a draw no good to either side, this promises to be an exciting game, and I think that Coleman's side are excellent value for the win here.

 

A win here, and another against Croatia on Tuesday, could revive their slim World Cup campaign hopes - and I don't think they will waste the opportunity to put three more points towards that total this evening.

 

Bet 1: Wales (AWAY) @ 4.6

 

 

Off to slightly warmer climes now for our final selection of the day - as Uruguay look to extend their impressive home form in a World Cup qualifying clash with Paraguay.

 

Oscar Tabarez's side go into this clash on the back of some excellent results in front of their own fans, and are unbeaten in 11 outings, which will boost confidence in the Charruas camp.

 

The hosts currently sit fifth in their mini-league - and desperately need a win here in order to heap pressure on Venezuela, who are immediately above them, and face a tricky tie to Argentina tomorrow.

 

Tabarez has seen his charges collect most of their points so far on their own patch, and they will be keen to take advantage of another opportunity here, with an away trip to Chile on the horizon.

 

Visitors Paraguay go into this clash having won three on the bounce - but they have been suffering from travel sickness of late, and their form on the road has been miserable.

 

Six losses from their last seven away from home suggests that Gerardo Pelusso's side may struggle in this one, and they sit bottom of the qualifying group with just seven points from nine games.

 

Fifteen goals shipped from their last seven on the road indicates that the Guaranies have weaknesses in their backline, and that could play a key part in the outcome of this clash, with Uruguay full of vigour - and having smashed a whopping 17 goals in their last six at home.

 

Bet 2: Uruguay (HOME) @ 1.64

 

Bet HERE

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