In the middle of the week, the previously rescheduled match between Scotland and Ukraine in League B Group 1 saw a change in the quartet leader. All the national teams now have four games played. First place goes to Scotland with nine points, with Ukraine second at seven. Ireland and Armenia form a pair of rivals in the battle to retain their place in League B, with four and three points respectively. With the Ukrainians unlikely to relinquish their promotion ambitions, Clarke's team need only win the upcoming meeting at Hampden Park. The bookmakers have identified the home side as the favourites, offering to bet on them with about the same odds as on the Irish picking up at least one point.

Ahead of the British derby, Scotland look favoured for good reason. In last year's World Cup qualifiers, this team showed themselves to be at their best, trailing only the unstoppable Danes, now performing well in League A. Characteristically, seven of the Scots' ten games in that qualifier ended with fewer than three goals. Despite Clarke's famous 'draw' style of play, the Scots have already played three consecutive matches on "total over" (2.5) in the current Nations League draw. Importantly, of the four games played in the group, Scotland have lost only one - to Ireland. And not just lost, but also suffered a thrashing 0-3 defeat in Dublin.

The Irish still have a theoretical chance of securing top spot, but the fight to keep their place in the League B seems more urgent for them. At present, Stephen Kenny's side are one point clear of relegation Armenia. The aforementioned victory over Scotland in the first leg is the only win for the Irish so far. Like their up-and-coming opponents, this British side play fewer games than they do in result-oriented matches. In the last ten official matches, the Irish have recorded "total under"(2.5) six times. At the same time, more than two goals in matches involving Ireland are usually scored if the opponents are of the level of Luxembourg and Azerbaijan.