SCOTLAND face two matches where they are predicted to have contrasting fortunes as Euro 2020 qualifying continues over the next few days. They travel to Moscow to face Russia (Sky Sports Football; tonight, Thursday, 7.45pm) and then surely a formality at home to San Marino on Sunday (Sky Sports Football; 5pm).

Bet365 offer the best odds for the Russia game: Russia 8/15, a draw 16/5 and Scotland 13/2. Off a -1 handicap, both teams are priced at 13/8 and the tie 12/5 (Unibet). Betfair Sportsbook chalk up Scotland at 1/80, a draw 35/1 and San Marino 80/1 for Sunday's clash. Russia -1 at 13/8 sounds appealing but they have only mustered 1-0 home wins against Cyprus and Kazakhstan in the group so some caution must be advised. All the same, it is difficult to argue against two comfortable home wins in the respective fixtures.

Predictions: Russia 3 Scotland 0; Scotland 4 San Marino 0.

Northern Ireland lie three points ahead of opponents Netherlands having played a game more but are written off for tonight’s encounter in Rotterdam (Sky Sports, 7.45pm). The Netherlands are 2/11 (Skybet), the Irish 20/1 (Bet365) and it is 15/2 a stalemate.

Norn Iron’s four wins in the group have been courtesy of narrow victories against Belarus and Estonia but they have been decent for some time and it is not out of the question they could get something out of the game. However, the Dutch have improved markedly as of late, beating England and latterly winning in Germany so they should claim the points, albeit possibly by a closer margin than anticipated.

Prediction: Netherlands 2 Northern Ireland 1.

There is a four-country tussle for supremacy in Group E and Wales need a result in Slovakia to stay in the qualification mix (Sky Sports; tonight, 7.45pm). The Slovaks are 29/20, a draw 11/5 and the Welsh 11/5. Unibet are 7/1 under 0.5 goals, although the 0-0 draw price is no bigger than 13/2. This match does not have entertainment as its strapline and the Gibraltan-based firm could be caught napping with this discrepancy.

Prediction: Slovakia 0 Wales 0.

ITV coverage of England’s procession to topping Group A continues with their away game in Prague tomorrow (Friday, 7.45pm). The Czechs are 7/1 (Bet365), England 4/9 and a draw 7/2. England have landed in a group with four very average opponents in it and ought to make it five wins out of five. Prediction: Czech Republic 0 England 2.

Scotland are still scrapping to emerge from their group in the Rugby World Cup and it will probably boil down to their last game with host nation Japan on Sunday (ITV, 11.45am). The Scots edge favouritism at 17/20 (Unibet), the Japanese are 5/4 (Betfair Sportsbook) and a draw 28/1 (Boylesports). Either +3 Japan at 10/11 (Skybet) or -1 Scotland at evens (Hills) are the handicap prices available.