Scotland duel with Denmark, Ireland can steal Slovakia scalp

And, if recalled winger Shaun Maloney’s words are anything to go by, Scotland will be on the attack, as the Hull City star told media: “The positive thing you could take from our qualifying matches against Poland and Ireland was we were like the rugby team, we went toe to toe as we have to do.

“I don’t think it makes any sense for us to try and be defensive and keep giving up the ball. I think in the long term that’s not going to improve us as a nation.”

Can dangerous Danes scupper Strachan?

Denmark also enter this meeting on the back of a morale-boosting win and are 8/5 to come away from Scotland with the spoils.

Yet, crucially, their recent road record leaves a lot to be desired, as the Scandinavians are without a win in five away exams.

Though, there is always the quality of Tottenham schemer Christian Eriksen (6/1 to strike first) to contend with, and goal threat of recent brace bagger Nicolai Jorgensen (7/4 in the anytime market), while Bayern Munich-owned Pierre Hojbjerg is one to keep an eye on.

As for Scotland’s strikeforce, Marseille marksman Steven Fletcher, said to have recovered from illness, struck a double on his last outing for Strachan, so is 6/1 to notch last, with Matt Ritchie (14/5 to fire in anytime) and Ikechi Anya (5/1 for another goal anytime) wily wing options.

Republic of Ireland v Slovakia

• International Friendly
• Tuesday, March 29th
• Kick-off: 19:45 BST
• Aviva Stadium, Dublin
• Live on Premier Sports

Republic to rally for Dublin duel

Ireland have enjoyed such success of late, combining their France finals qualification with going 11 games unbeaten, so should be quietly confident of welcoming dark horses Slovakia to their patch.

As 5/4 favourites for victory, the Republic are decent value in Dublin, but do have somewhat of a striker shortage with captain Robbie Keane, fellow veteran Kevin Doyle and Stoke City’s heroic hitman Jonathan Walters among those sidelined.

So, as their Slovakian visitors can count Spain and Switzerland among not so distant scalps, the Boys in Green will have to avoid complacency, with Greece-based winger Robert Mak (11/4 to hit home anytime), Eredivisie attacker Adam Nemec and Napoli’s midfield leader Marek Hamsik (7/2) among some notable names.

McClean in the frame for Slovakia start

However, John O’Shea should be back installed at centre half after a rest last time out, and this Irish will be expecting to withstand any advances on home soil.

Southampton striker Shane Long would perhaps be the obvious selection up top and is 9/2 to notch the opener, while James McClean of West Bromwich Albion is expected to slot into the starting XI and 7/2 to score anytime, with Robbie Brady perhaps an option off the bench after playing the previous full 90 minutes.

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Coral’s top tip: Confident Scotland could prove fruitful at 9/5 to defeat Denmark.