Tuesday, May 24, 2011

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25.05. (Wed) 20:45 Wales - Scotland



DID YOU KNOW?

The last time the two sides met, Wales ran out convincing 3-0 winners with goals coming from David Edwards, Simon Church and Aaron Ramsey.

If he passes a late fitness test, Aston Villa defender James Collins will pick up his 40th cap for Wales.

Wales have claimed victory over the Scots in the last four fixtures between the countries.

Scotland could hand first caps to Celtic’s James Forrest and Norwich's Russell Martin, who qualifies for the national side though his Scottish father.

A victory for Scotland would see them remain at the top of the Home Nations Cup league table going into their last fixture with the Republic of Ireland on Sunday.

The Scots hold a massive advantage in the head-to-head between the two nations, having won 59 times, while Wales have only recorded 22 victories and another 22 games have ended in a draw.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Wales (4-4-2)
Hennessey; Gunter, J Collins, Gabbidon, D Collins; Cotterill, Collison, Ramsey, King; Morison, Earnshaw.

Wales boss Gary Speed has an injury doubt over centre-back James Collins along with on-loan Cardiff striker Craig Bellamy, who has been carrying a hamstring injury, which saw him miss the Bluebirds' second-leg defeat in the Championship play-offs.

Speed is already without the services of Gareth Bale, Sam Ricketts, Andrew Crofts, Joe Ledley, Ched Evans, Christian Ribiero and Brian Stock due to injury, while Ashley Williams, Joe Allen, Simon Church and Hal Robson-Kanu are all unavailable due to their participation in the Championship play-off final on Monday.

Meanwhile, West Ham midfielder Jack Collison makes his international return after being out of the team for over a year with a knee injury.

Scotland (4-5-1)
McGregor; Whittaker, G Caldwell, Berra, Bardsley; Morrison, Brown, Adam, McArthur, Robson; Miller.

Scotland go into the Home Nations Cup fixture without the services of Celtic midfielder Kris Commons, who has been forced to withdraw due to a hamstring injury, while both skipper Darren Fletcher and frontman Craig Mackail-Smith are both out of the squad due to club commitments.

The Scots are also without long-term injury victims Craig Gordon, Alan Hutton, Lee Wallace and Graham Dorrans, while Dundee United striker David Goodwillie is excluded from the travelling party due to legal reasons.

Prediction
With the confidence that Scotland gained the last time they visited Dublin when they defeated Northern Ireland to go to the top of the tournament table with the hosts Republic of Ireland and having not suffered from the usual mass call-offs, that will give Craig Levein’s side the advantage.

Gary Speed however is still looking for his first win as Welsh manager since taking over from John Toshack and that is set to continue after this fixture.

Wales 1-3 Scotland