Lithuania v Scotland preview: Captain Darren Fletcher out with knee injury
Friday 1 September 2017 21:56, UK
Captain Darren Fletcher will not feature after picking up a knee injury as Scotland travel to Lithuania for a World Cup Qualifier on Friday.
The Stoke midfielder was struggling for fitness but has now withdrawn from the squad for the upcoming matches against Lithuania and Slovakia, which will be shown live on Sky Sports Football.
But manager Gordon Strachan was in a calm mood ahead of the game in Vilnius, knowing they realistically need maximum points in their remaining four games to have a chance of making the tournament in Russia next year.
"I don't worry. There is plenty of time to worry after the occasion," he said. "I said to the players at Coventry when I first got the job when we were sitting bottom of the league, 'don't worry about it, we are not there yet. Only worry when we get relegated', and we stayed up.
"I am aware of what's going on. I understand the importance but you relish it. It is a challenge. It is a different type of challenge but it is a challenge."
Lithuania manager and former Hearts striker Edgaras Jankauskas believes Scotland can qualify for the 2018 World Cup but will have no qualms about quashing their hopes on Friday night.
"I rate Scotland very highly and I wouldn't be surprised if they qualified from this group because they are not weaker than anyone in this group and they have proven that in recent games against England and Slovenia," he said.
"As much as I appreciate Scottish football, we are going to fight and try to be relentless because we have our goals and we are going to follow our dream. It is a big game for us as there are not many games of that calibre in this country in a year."
Team news
James Morrison was handed a late call-up to the Scotland squad after the withdrawal of Tom Cairney due to injury, with Steven Fletcher also sidelined for the latest qualifiers.
Andrew Robertson has also joined up with his national team after missing Liverpool's 4-0 win against Arsenal last weekend due to the birth of his child.
Lithuania will be without the suspended Nerijus Valskis for the reverse fixture after the two sides drew 1-1 at Hampden Park in October 2016.
Opta stats
Scotland have lost just one of their previous nine games against Lithuania (W5 D3), and none of the last six
Lithuania's only victory over Scotland came back in April 2003, when Berti Vogts' side were beaten 1-0 in Kaunas in a Euro 2004 qualifier
The last four games between these teams in Lithuania have seen just four goals scored in total (two each)
Live WCQ
Scotland have lost seven of their last 10 World Cup qualifying games away from home (W3)
Robert Snodgrass is Scotland's top scorer in 2018 World Cup qualifying (three goals), despite failing to net in each of his previous five appearances
Only Spain (6) have scored more goals than Scotland (5) in the 80th minute or later in 2018 World Cup qualifying
Lithuania have suffered defeat in each of their last three World Cup qualifiers, while they haven't lost four in a row since October 2009 (a run of five)
On home soil, however, Lithuania have lost just two of their previous six World Cup qualifying games (W3 D1)
Charlie's predictions
Every game for Scotland has been a must-win and here we are, four points off second, and it really is a must-win.
In all the times we've played Lithuania, I think it has been six times in the last decade, I don't think there's been a comfortable Scotland win.
We were fortunate to get a 1-1 draw with them in Glasgow and I think it's going to be another stalemate which suits neither side. Gordon Strachan, again, refusing to try anything different.
That will mean it is going to be another nearly story. It won't be officially over as Scotland have Malta at home next, but I can see it being a case of not quite good enough in our final two Qualifiers against Slovakia and Slovenia and returning home to lick our wounds again.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Scotland are Sky Bet's 8/11 favourites for the victory, with Lithuania up against odds of 9/2, while another draw is priced at 13/5. However, Strachan's men are 20/1 to quality for the World Cup and 150/1 to win Group F. Leigh Griffiths heads the first goalscorer betting at 100/30, while Craig Armstrong is enhanced from 4/1 to 5/1 to score in a Scotland win in Sky Bet's Price Boosts.
