Scotland v Serbia: Five to watch

The Serbian players to look out for.

Branislav Ivanovic

(Centre back, Chelsea)

Known for his versatility – able to play both right back and centre half – Ivanovic has established himself as one of Chelsea’s most valuable players. The 28-year-old is more comfortable playing in the centre, where he mixes cool composure with a physical style of defending. His sheer power also makes him a real threat in the opposing penalty area. One of Scotland’s starting centre backs will have to match up with the Serbian captain at set-pieces.

Aleksandar Kolarov

(Left back, Manchester City)

The 26-year-old Manchester City full-back possesses a lethal left-foot, with an excellent shot and a superb delivery from set-pieces. He is not just a free-kick specialist, however, as his passing and crossing give City a dangerous out-ball on the left-wing. Whoever is selected to play wide right for Scotland will be expected to press the former Lazio full-back in order to nullify his ranging left-foot. Defensively, he can be fragile, so Scotland will look to exploit the space left by his attacking forays.

Dejan Lekic

(Striker, Genclerbirligi)

He looks likely to be the lone striker for Serbia on Saturday. It’s a position the 27-year-old will be granted by default with Nikola Zigic and Milan Jovanovic out of favour and Miralem Sulejmani and Marko Scepovic in the squad but unfit. The 6ft 4in striker isn’t a prolific goalscorer, but his threat should not be ignored, as evidenced by his double for Osasuna last season that helped defeat Barcelona. He lacks ruthlessness and determination to be considered a dominant centre forward, but he can be effective in one-off games and Scotland must look at cutting off the supply to the target man.

Neven Subotic

(Centre back, Borussia Dortmund)

The dominating centre back remains a Borussia Dortmund player despite continued interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. The German champions have slapped a £20million price tag on the 23-year old to ward off interest, but if he continues his current form then there will soon be a queue of suitors willing to pay that hefty price. Dortmund have become renowned across Europe for their attractive, attacking football. But, like all great teams, they are built on a solid defence that conceded only 25 league goals last season, with Subotic at the heart of it.

Zoran Tosic

(Winger, CSKA Moscow)

Now 25, the CSKA Moscow winger is beginning to blossom after his career stalled at Old Trafford. His physique didn’t fit the rough nature of British football but his talents shouldn’t be underestimated. A terrific dribbler, he is comfortable on either wing and regularly finds the back of the net thanks to a terrific left-foot shot which is also adept at taking free-kicks. Craig Levein may consider doubling up on him, but if he’s playing on the same flank as Kolarov it may give the home side too many problems to cover in one area of the pitch.