Sunday Sport

WILL TARTAN ARMY BE FIT?

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CAN you imagine the huge hangover the Scotland players will be nursing against Slovakia in the Nations League today?

I know boss Steve Clarke said they just had a polite handshake and half a shandy to mark their brilliant penalty shootout win against Serbia on Thursday.

But videos of the players doing the conga around their hotel afterwards suggests that the Tartan Army players may have enjoyed themselves plenty.

And why not after making their first summer finals since Jim Leighton was between the sticks — ask your grandads kids!

Mind you, the Slovaks may have taken a few light ales after their own dramatic last- gasp win against Northern Ireland that saw them through to the Euros.

Before that they were beaten by the Scots in this group and went down narrowly against Israel.

One thing Slovakia are fond of is a draw and that could suit both sides in the 2pm kick- off.

Scotland have scored a total of five goals in their past five outings — the same number as their hosts.

Sometimes it just pays to keep it simple and there’s every chance this will end up 1- 1.

Bet 365 go biggest about that correct score at 11/ 2 while the draw at any price is 23/ 10 with the same firm.

Boss Steve Clarke says he wants to top this Nations League group but he’ll be under pressure from club managers to give some of his stars a rest after playing 120 minutes.

He’ll be happy with a point that will all but ensure the Tartan Army top their section.

England have a difficult night ahead against Belgium who have a two- point lead at the top of Group 2.

The Three Lions need no worse than a draw to keep their hopes alive heading into the final game against Iceland.

Gareth Southgate is walking a tightrope with club managers already fuming about the number of internatio­nals this early in the season.

He’s already sent Joe Gomez back to Liverpool in plaster and will have to rotate his squad.

It could give a chance to the likes of Mason Mount, Phil Foden and Jack

CLASSY: Belgium

SCOTLAND SKIPPER: Robertson

Grealish — and that would be no bad thing.

You don’t often see England as underdogs with the bookies but they are 2/ 1 across the board with Belgium 13/ 10 and the draw 23/ 10.

Harry Kane’s men won the reverse fixture at Wembley but the Belgians have ground out two victories since then while Denmark landed a surprise win in London.

This is a tough game to call and England were impressive against a modest Ireland side last time.

Belgium are ranked No1 in the world at the moment with that Wembley loss their only real blip in the past couple of years.

With the likes of Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings England’s defence could have a tough night.

The City man is 3/ 1 to hit the target and 9/ 1 to get the first goal of the game.

But the Three Lions have plenty of pace in attack and can hit the target — as can the home side.

I’ll back both teams to score but that’s only 11/ 8. So I’ll throw in a draw and each team hitting the target which is a more rewarding 7/ 2 with BetVictor.

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