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Slovakia vs Scotland: All you need to know ahead of qualifier

Gordon Strachan saw his Scotland side held by Lithuania
Gordon Strachan saw his Scotland side held by Lithuania

A full run down of all you need to know about both teams ahead of the crucial qualifier between Scotland and Slovakia.

Scotland

MUST-WIN GAME FOR SCOTLAND?

There are many who thought Lithuania was a must-win game for the Scots. Home wins are the bedrock of any successful campaign and even though it is only game three, a defeat against the second seeds, who are without a point in two games, would surely quash Scottish hopes.

CHRIS MARTIN TO START AGAIN?

Rumblings of discontent about Martin’s selection grew louder after the Lithuania game. Strachan kept the same team that beat Malta 5-1 in the Group F opener which meant that the burly Derby forward, on loan to Fulham, was again preferred to Steven Fletcher and Leigh Griffiths. Strachan described Martin’s performance as outstanding – no one else did – but he has promised changes and he may opt for Griffiths, who was given the final 20 minutes at the weekend.

DARREN FLETCHER’S FITNESS

The Scotland captain won his 75th cap against Lithuania but had to come off at the interval with a thigh injury and will be given a fitness test. His replacement, James McArthur, scored the equaliser against Lithuania but the loss of such an experienced player as Fletcher would be a blow. Fletcher is willing to take a risk with the injury such is his desperation to help the cause.

GO FOR IT

After dropping two points on Saturday, Scotland’s approach to the match may need to change. It was thought that in the event of a win against the Lithuanians, a draw in Trnava would have been satisfactory. However, the Scots will have to take chances. It makes for an intriguing and potentially campaign-changing 90 minutes.

Harry Kane played as the lone striker in England's 1-0 win over Slovakia
Harry Kane played as the lone striker in England’s 1-0 win over Slovakia

Slovakia

FORM

Slovakia are ranked 28th by Fifa, Scotland are 44th, but have made a poor start to their qualifying campaign. A 1-0 defeat at home to England was followed by another loss in Slovenia at the weekend. The Slovaks, though, reached the last 16 of Euro 2016 in France where they lost to Germany, an achievement Scotland dream about these days. It is still early in the qualification campaign, but Slovakia will be desperate to get their bid for Russia up and running.

MANAGER

Jan Kozak took over the post in July, 2013. The former FC Lokomotiva Kosice and Dukla Prague midfielder played 55 times for Czechoslovakia and played in the 1982 World Cup finals. The 62-year-old made history when he guided Slovakia to Euro 2016, the first time the country had reached the finals of the European championships.

PLAYERS

Slovakia captain Martin Skrtel – suspended against Slovenia – will return against Scotland. The 31-year-old former Liverpool defender, now plying his trade at Fenerbahce, will solidify the defence. However, the main man in a vastly experienced team whose players mostly play outside Slovakia is Napoli’s Marek Hamsik. The 29-year-old can play anywhere along the front line and will be expected to pose the biggest threat to the visitors.

TACTICS

In the absence of Skrtel and with the Slovenia match away from home, Kozak played three at the back in a 3-5-1-1 formation. However, in front of their own supporters, it is likely Kozak will return to the four at the back in a 4-2-3-1 formation they employed in the group opener against England with Skrtel partnering Jan Durica. Hamsik will support the main attacker, who, against Slovenia, was Robert Mak, formerly of Manchester City now at Zenit St Petersburg. There is the possibility Adam Nemec could lead the line against the Scots. But regardless of formation and personnel, given the start to their campaign there will be extra focus and determination from the home side who know the importance of three points after its poor start to the campaign.