Talking points

Striking Power: Scotland boss Alex McLeish opted not to call in back-up after Leigh Griffiths made the shock decision to withdraw from the squad in order to “focus on his fitness”. Steven Naismith and Johnny Russell started up front in the opening Nations League win over Albania and McLeish has Swansea forward Oli McBurnie back in his squad after injury. He may only decide to play one up front anyway so it appears there are enough options. But failure to win and score in Haifa would bring Griffiths’ decision even further into focus.

Feed Dabour: Israel striker Moanes Dabour has very recent experience of success against Scottish opposition – he netted twice against Celtic last week as Salzburg recorded a 3-1 Europa League win. The 26-year-old has scored 15 goals in all this season – seven of them in Europe – but he has only scored once in nine caps and that came against Andorra. Can he translate his club form to the international stage?

Forrest Fire: Celtic winger James Forrest staked his claim for a place by hitting four goals against St Johnstone on Sunday. He has only featured once under McLeish, however, who has not played with wingers in recent games. Will the Scotland manager find a way of bringing Forrest into his system?

Table -toppers: Scotland can go a long way to eliminating Israel from contention for top spot in Group C1 at the halfway stage. The two sides had contrasting results against Albania in their opening games, Israel losing 1-0 away from home before Scotland won 2-0 at Hampden.

Selection Posers: McLeish has Scott McKenna available again after injury but the Aberdeen defender may find it hard to displace Kieran Tierney, Charlie Mulgrew and John Souttar in the likely threeman defence. Souttar is the only right-sided centre-back while Mulgrew offers much-needed experience. In midfield, Kevin McDonald was substituted at half-time against Albania for Stuart Armstrong but the former Dundee United man has struggled to get starts for Southampton. John McGinn and Scott McTominay have shrugged off knocks and could play.