The term ‘must win’ is overused in the world of football, but for Wales and Scotland it’s perfectly appropriate.
Both home nations are still looking for their first win in Group A of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers and while Scotland has managed two draws from its first two games, it is  yet to pick up a point.
Wales’ chances of taking their first points in Friday’s match have already taken a major blow, with Cardiff striker Craig Bellamy absent through a knee injury picked up during his club’s clash with Birmingham last Tuesday.
Bellamy joins West Ham midfielder Jack Collison, Wolverhampton goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and Swansea defender Neil Taylor on the casualty list, while Collison’s team-mate James Collins will also miss the match through suspension after his sending off during Wales’ opening qualifier against Belgium.
While the home side have also had several players out, a number of key players are returning. Long term absentee and Manchester United midfielder and national team captain Darren Fletcher is in the squad for the first time since last November, following a chronic bowel condition.
Celtic captain Scott Brown and defender Charlie Mulgrew also return from injury. They are, however, without Everton striker Steven Naismith through suspension following an elbowing incident in Scotland’s previous fixture with Serbia.
With both managers feeling the pressure, major changes have been made to their squads. Wales coach Chris Coleman has replaced 21 year old Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey as captain with Swansea skipper Ashley Williams, while Scotland coach Craig Levein has ended his dispute with on-form Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher to give him his first call-up to the national team since February 2011.
With such major changes being made to both sides, it’s clear that neither team can afford to drop points in this crucial home nations fixture.

Author: Steven Topping