International Stats: Scotland to win tight affair in Wales

Steven Fletcher makes his Scotland return after a two-year exile

Christian Crowther's stats point towards a Scotland victory to nil against the recently hapless Welsh...

Chris Coleman and Craig Levein know the recipe for relieving pressure only has one ingredient going into this World Cup qualifier and that is a win.

Based on Wales' dismal run under the late Gary Speed's successor - four straight defeats - including the first two qualifiers, it seems Scotland are in the stronger position to relieve some of the burden on their leader.

Worryingly for Welsh hopes, their own backyard has not offered any protection against defeat in recent times and even more depressing for their fans is that the last three home defeats have not even yielded a goal.

Those home games have seen a combined aggregate score of Wales 0-5 Opposition, losing 2-0 to both Bosnia and Belgium and perhaps even more disappointingly succumbing 1-0 to Costa Rica.

The only player who has scored for Wales under Coleman's stewardship in their run of four losses is Gareth Bale, against Serbia last time out as the Welsh went on to concede six in Serbia.

You would have to think this Scottish side's awareness of Bale's threat will lead to extra efforts to nullify him. For the Welshman's sake, hopefully these duties will not be delegated to Charlie Adam though.

Scotland have been accused of being defensive under Levein and a return of just one goal in qualifying so far would seem to justify this tag.

In fact, the 0-0 with Serbia was the only game in the last 11 for the Scots in which they did not trouble the scoresheet though.

That stat that will be given extra significance by the return from exile of Steven Fletcher, in devastating form for Sunderland - five in his last five - which would be a worry for any defence let alone Wales'.

With this in mind, a win to nil for Scotland at 3.55/2 has enormous appeal, as does backing Fletcher to grab a goal to announce his return to the international scene at 3.412/5.

Considering Wales' obvious lack of firepower and that Scotland's last two games have produced under 2.5 goals, that should be worth a look at 1.684/6 as will backing the Scotland victory at 2.727/4.

Recommended Bet: Back Scotland to beat Wales to nil @ 3.55/2