"After a 27-year absence from the World Cup finals, Scotland are back and know they will be taking on Brazil, Morocco and Haiti in the United States next June. It is a daunting task for Steve Clarke and his team, but the Tartan Army will already be going to bed with an American dream of progression. Their chances will be boosted by the expanded format, where even finishing third in Group C may be enough."
"There are only four third-place sides who will miss out on a place in the last 32 of the World Cup. Which means getting three points, and a respectable goal difference, would go a long way to ranking in the top eight of the third-best sides. A win and a draw - so four points - would almost certainly be enough."
"The best chance for a Scotland win looks most likely in the first game against Haiti. Ranked 84th in the world, the Carribean nation qualified for their first World Cup since 1974 by beating Nicaragua last month. Manager Sebastien Migne has been unable to set foot on Haiti since being appointed 18 months ago because a conflict in the country forces them to play their home matches 500 miles away in Curacao - an island nation just off the coast of South American country Venezuela."
Scotland return to the World Cup finals after a 27-year absence and will face Brazil, Morocco and Haiti in Group C in the United States next June. The expanded 48-team format advances the eight best third-place teams to the last 32, meaning only four third-place sides will be eliminated. Securing three points with a respectable goal difference could be enough to qualify, while four points would almost certainly guarantee progression. Historical comparisons show third-place sides with three points have advanced in recent European Championships. Haiti represent the most likely winnable opponent, ranked 84th and forced to play home matches abroad.
Read at www.bbc.com
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