Czech Republic v Scotland: Five Scottish players set for first cap

Gordon Strachan could give first caps to five players as Scotland face Czech Republic on Thursday night in an international friendly.

There are 10 uncapped players over the two squads Strachan has picked as they also face Denmark on Tuesday night, and several are likely to make their debuts against Czech Republic.

Scott Bain, Kevin McDonald, Kenny McLean, Tony Watt and Paul Caddis, a late call-up, could all get some game time as Strachan looks to see who might fit in for Scotland's 2018 World Cup qualifiers later this year.

Team news

Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher, who is on loan at Marseille, has pulled out of the trip to Prague through illness.  

The 28-year-old is one of a handful of players who are in both Scotland squads for the friendlies against the Czechs on Thursday and Denmark at Hampden Park on Tuesday.

Norwich forward Steven Naismith had earlier pulled out of the Prague trip with a hamstring injury, so Gordon Strachan has Tony Watt and Ross McCormack available as his striking options.

Czech Republic team news to follow...

Opta stats

The Czech Republic have won each of their last three home matches against the Scots.

Scotland have won just one of their last six internationals against the Czech Republic (W1 D1 L4).

Pavel Vrba's side have won four of their last six internationals, losing the other two.

Gordon Strachan is looking to win successive away games as manager of the national side for the first time since March 2014 (a run of three wins).

Scotland have lost just two friendlies under Strachan (W5 D2), both of which were against England.

Charlie Nicholas' prediction

There's always a danger that these games can feel a bit half-baked with no summer tournament to look forward to, but Gordon Strachan has always been good at finding a way of getting something out of friendlies. What I'd like to see is plenty of changes, especially as we're playing away from home where there's less pressure from the home support, and I think we'll get a bit more intensity from those coming in.

I'd like to see Strachan, especially if he goes for a back three, getting the full-backs pushing on more and I'm also looking forward to seeing Robert Snodgrass back in following all his injury problems. We've missed his creativity in wide areas and he offers a goal threat as well.

However, this Czech Republic side are good technically and have plenty of power up front. They're definitely favourites here and I'd be backing them to win by two or more goals.

Charlie predicts: 3-1 and Tomas Necid to score first (50/1 with Sky Bet)

Betting

Scotland are 4/1 outsiders for the victory Sky Bet making Czech Republic just 3/4 for the victory while pricing a draw up at 12/5. Tomas Necid heads the first goalscorer betting at 4/1 while Ross McCormack is rated the visitors' biggest threat at twice the price. Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie Nicholas fears his country are destined for defeat, backing a 3-1 home with with Necid to score first at 50/1 in his Sky Bet tips.