Scotland momentum undeterred by Nigeria friendly match-fixing threat

Scotland are unbeaten in five international matches, winning four, but lost their only previous meeting with Nigeria. Gordon Strachan’s side are 12/5 outsiders to upset the Super Eagles in friendly action, amid rumours of a match-fixing plot.

It is sad that such allegations have to be given the oxygen of publicity, but the game goes ahead nonetheless, and Coral make the Super Eagles 6/5 favourites for a win in this World Cup warm-up encounter. A draw is priced at 11/5.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has a number of British-based names on his preliminary roster for the Brazil finals, and they will all want to impress him in different areas of the pitch, so they nail down starting spots for Group F.

In defence, the likes of Celtic’s Efe Ambrose, Norwich loanee Joseph Yobo and young Kenneth Omeuro, who is owned by Chelsea, will be targeting a clean sheet against Scotland. They are 7/5 to do just that at Craven Cottage.

Midfield pair John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses, also on the Stamford Bridge books, are freed up from more defensive duties at club level, and could both chip in with goals. The former has as many in 51 caps for his country, as he had during his entire club career at the Blues – both four.

Odds of 8/1 make Mikel an outside shout to net anytime, while Moses is 2/1 off the back of a respectable one in three scoring ratio for the Super Eagles in the same market. Stoke’s Peter Odemwingie will also want to make the most of his recall, and is 13/2 to get the first goal.

Back target man Shola Ameobi, released after spending 17 years man and boy at Newcastle, to net anytime, though, and odds of 5/1 are enticingly available.

If it’s Scottish scorers you fancy, then be wary of parting with money on Leigh Griffiths, who may not be fit to start. Derby trio Craig Bryson, Craig Forsyth and Chris Martin have a bitter play-off final disappointment to work out of their systems, and this seems the perfect stage for that.