On Friday evening, Scotland travel to Moldova in Group F of World Cup qualifying, as Steve Clarke’s team look to move closer to qualifying for Qatar 2022.

MOLDOVA

The home team have rather lived up to the expectation that they would be one of the whipping boys of the group by losing seven of their eight matches in the group and picking up one draw. That poor run includes a 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.

The only qualifier in which they have avoided defeat was in a 1-1 home draw with another minnow in the Faroe Islands. The poor results have left Moldova bottom of Group F. Their poor results of late have been slightly predictable, as the home side has failed to win any of their previous 18 World Cup qualifiers.

SCOTLAND

The visitors have put themselves in a very strong position to finish as runners-up in the group. Steve Clarke’s team are seven points behind group leaders Denmark, but they are also four points ahead of third-place Israel. A win in this clash would seal a place in the play-offs for Scotland.

After a slightly unconvincing start to their qualifying campaign, Scotland have roared back in recent games by recordding four straight wins in Group F. The run included what could turn out to be a decisive 3-2 home win over Israel.

Scotland have won their last two qualifiers on their travels, but have won just three of their last eight away matches in World Cup qualifying.

Team News

Moldova will be without the suspended Oleg Reabciuk, who has only just returned from suspension. Scotland are without forward Lyndon Dykes and winger Ryan Christie through suspension, while Ryan Fraser will miss out through injury. Arsenal full-back Kieran Tierney will return after injury though.