Faroe Islands vs Scotland: Get behind the Tartan Army in Torsvollur

Tonight, Steve Clarke’s Scotland head to Torsvollur to face the Faroe Islands in their bid for World Cup qualification. 

The visitors are in fine fettle following a stoppage time winner at the weekend, twice they came from behind against Israel before Scott McTominay shrugged the ball home in stoppage time to ensure the Scots secured the spoils. 

Whilst they stand no chance of catching the undefeated Danes at the helm of Group F that victory did put real daylight in between themselves, Israel and Austria who sit third and forth on ten points

The Scots have a real opportunity to harness that momentum here and victory for Clarke’s men could move them seven points clear of the chasing pack, if results go their way, though that is unlikely with Israel hosting basement boys Moldova. 

In terms of team news, I expect Grant Hanley to slot back into the starting XI as he is back available after serving his suspension. This could see Saturday’s hero Scott McTominay move into midfield as the expense of Callum McGregor.

Scotland will be brimming with confidence after clinching the decisive goal at the death in a five-goal thriller vs Israel on Saturday. However, goals have not been synonymous with Steve Clarke’s Scotland. 

Excluding their most recent match, none of the Tartan Army's previous four World Cup Qualifiers saw both teams score and all of their three victories were to nil, which includes the 4-0 thumping of tonight's opponents in the reverse fixture. 

As for the hosts, they have failed to score in their last four defeats, all though they did give a great account of themselves in their 1-0 loss at the hands of big brothers Denmark where the game turned after they went down to ten men. Given the sides contrasting form though, I expect Scotland to dismantle the Faroe Islands here with relative ease.

This campaign, in the Faroe Islands top-flight, Rene Joensen has picked up five bookings in 19 appearances. As the standard improves whilst he plays for his nation, it appears his cynicism does too. 

So far in their World Cup Qualification campaign, Joensen has made three appearances and somehow managed to rack up five cards as he has received yellow cards vs Austria and Israel, then two yellows and a red vs Denmark! 

Matej Jug is overseeing this one and the fact that he has averaged 5.5 cards per game this season helps this angles case. It is also worth noting that he has brandished 13 yellow cards and awarded a penalty in the two WCQ he has taken charge of. 

Using Betfair’s ‘Bet Builder’ feature you can combine the first two selections with a Grant Hanley card at odds of 30/1. Due to the fact that you cannot combine Scotland to win to nil with other angles you have to select a Scotland win as well as ‘BTTS No’ alongside Joensen and Hanley cards.

Hanley missed Scotland’s last game due to suspension but is expected to slot straight back into the side here. Over the course of his domestic career he has averaged 0.19 cards per 90. Whilst representing his nation he has picked up six bookings, all of which have come in World Cup or Euro qualifiers which translates a cards per 90 average of 0.27. Therefore, you could make a case for his price being around the 3/1 mark here. 

Best of luck if you are backing these selections and please remember to gamble responsibly.