World Cup Qualifying 2018, UEFA Group D - Opponent Watch

**zero** · 07/10/2017, 7:20 PM

watching a bit of this. can't see anything other than a greek win.

**DannyInvincible** · 08/10/2017, 8:09 AM

If Scotland and Croatia happen to win their final games, qualification for the play-offs would technically still be within our own hands despite the Greece win last night; a victory over Wales by four or more goals would be guaranteed to take us into the play-offs ahead of Greece who will end on a runners-up total of 13 points and +4 goals (as their final game is against bottom-placed Gibraltar, so will be discarded). Our runners-up goal difference right now is +1. Greece have more goals scored than us which is the next differential after goal difference, so matching their goal difference of +4 by beating Wales by three goals wouldn't be enough.

Hopefully it doesn't come to that!

**geysir** · 08/10/2017, 2:42 PM

I admire the endless hope, Danny.

**DannyInvincible** · 08/10/2017, 3:13 PM

An updated permutations article from RTÉ: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017...reach-playoff/

We're looking for one of the following results to transpire now:

Originally Posted by Conor Neville

Group F
Slovenia v Scotland (home win or draw)

Group I
Ukraine v Croatia (draw)

Group C
Norway v Northern Ireland (four goal home win)

Group D
Serbia v Georgia (away win)

Slovenia have a good home-record and haven't conceded in Ljubljana this campaign, so I think Scotland's task today will be a tough one.

**DannyInvincible** · 08/10/2017, 3:52 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

I admire the endless hope, Danny.

Actually, I was wrong. We can feel a slight bit less hopeless.

A 3-0 win would do it as that would take our runners-up table goal-difference to +4 and our goals-scored tally to 9. Greece are certain to end on a runners-up goal-difference of +4 and a goals-scored tally of 9. The next runners-up table tie-breaker is fair-play points and we have a better fair-play record than Greece (by about ten points, I believe).

**The Fly** · 08/10/2017, 4:34 PM

1-0 Scotland.

**BonnieShels** · 08/10/2017, 4:42 PM

Needing a draw still. So not the end of the world. But still...

Maybe Norway is the diamond in this rough.

**geysir** · 08/10/2017, 4:47 PM

I see the ref is wearing Scotland pink socks.

**DannyInvincible** · 08/10/2017, 4:55 PM

Not looking good. Will Slovenia have the will to really push hard for an equaliser? I'm not overly confident.

**The Fly** · 08/10/2017, 5:09 PM

Goallll.......1-1

**sbgawa** · 08/10/2017, 5:09 PM

Yes 1 each

**DannyInvincible** · 08/10/2017, 5:11 PM

Get in!

**The Fly** · 08/10/2017, 5:14 PM

Slovenia are well on top now. Almost 2-1 there.

**Bungle** · 08/10/2017, 5:15 PM

Horrible the situation we have got ourselves into.

Some proper teams in the playoffs too.

I just hope we have the right mindset tomorrow and really go for it. If we hang back and try and get them on the counter we will be awful. If we go at them like we did against bosnia two years ago or italy in lille we can get a result.

We need Brady and Hendrick to deliver like they can.

**DannyInvincible** · 08/10/2017, 5:17 PM

Scotland have lost their composure a bit. That Slovenia goal has definitely eased my nerves. Another Slovenia goal would be great as Scotland have a tendency to score late and they'll be throwing the kitchen sink at Slovenia for the final ten or fifteen minutes.