Wales v Scotland preview: Kick off time, TV, injuries, key players

IF Craig Levein hoped that selecting Steven Fletcher for the first time in two years would serve to deflect questions on his team selection, then the last-minute inclusion of Kris Commons, whose initial omission had baffled some given his fine form for Celtic, has put the question right back to the top of the agenda.

Jordan Rhodes, another whose inclusion (or rather, exclusion from the starting line-up in favour of Kenny Miller) has also been a topic of debate among fans, and Robert Snodgrass have withdrawn from the squad due to injury,

The return of captain Darren Fletcher is, mercifully, one of the few points that everyone is united on.

Scotland’s nominally underwhelming start to the World Cup qualifying campaign - two draws at home to Macedonia and Serbia - is rather put into perspective by Wales’ start, who have yet to pick up a point from games against Belgium and Serbia, the latter of whom humbled Chris Coleman’s young side 6-1.

Coleman, who recently deposed Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey as captain in favour of Ashley Williams, is seeking his first win as Wales manager. Those hopes rest largely on full-back Gareth Bale, but fitness concerns over the Tottenham player may yet leave Coleman without the explosive threat of the 23-year-old’s wing play.

DATE: Friday 12 October

KICK-OFF: 19:45 BST

VENUE: Cardiff City Stadium

TV CHANNEL: Sky Sports

SCOTLAND INJURIES

Jordan Rhodes and Robert Snodgrass have withdrawn due to ankle injuries. Grant Hanley has also pulled out with a groin strain. Celtic duo Charlie Mulgrew and Scott Brown are expected to be fit for selection.

WALES INJURIES

Gareth Bale is no longer considered an injury doubt ahead of Friday’s match, but injuries and suspensions are piling up elsewhere in Chris Coleman’s squad. Craig Bellamy (knee), Neil Taylor (broken ankle) and James Collins (suspended) are unavailable, while Coleman is also without Dave Edwards and Jack Collison. Celtic defender Adam Matthews is a slight doubt, though Wales expect him to feature on Friday. Joe Ledley is also set to be available after missing training yesterday. However, Huddersfield Town’s Joel Lynch is out of the squad.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Wales and Scotland last met in the Carling Nations Cup in Dublin, where Scotland won 3-1, albeit against a youthful Wales side. Scotland’s last victory against Wales before that came in 1984, a 2-1 victory at Hampden. Wales last win against Scotland came in 2009, with a 3-0 friendly win in Cardiff.

ODDS

17/10 Wales win

13/8 Scotland win

11/5 Draw

KEY PLAYERS

Hard to say for Scotland - all the attention will be reserved for Steven Fletcher and the recently recalled Kris Commons, both of whom are in fine form for their clubs, but Craig Levein’s conservative tendencies mean neither may feature from the start. With the absence of Jordan Rhodes, Kenny Miller will likely be tasked with taking something from Cardiff.

Meanwhile, Wales will look to Gareth Bale to give the home side the swagger they’ve lacked so far from the wings, while recently desposed captain Aaron Ramsay may also be re-energised by his new-found freedom, and will be charged with being the fulcrum of the Wales attack.