Scotland's World Cup Permutations

The impact Sunday's matches can have on Scotland's qualification chances

Scotland host the bottom seeds of group C at Hampden Park on Sunday evening, with a 5pm kick off - live on BBC Scotland. Belarus are currently ranked 100th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, and Scotland have never lost at home to a side ranked 100th or lower. Our opponents have lost each of their last 10 World Cup Qualifiers - and their last 17 outside Belarus. They sit bottom of the group with 0 points, 1 goal scored and 13 conceded - after just three games.

Despite the fact Belarus won 1-0 on their last trip to Hampden in 2005, Scotland won the reverse fixture 2-0 last month so anything other than a home victory at this stage would be a catastrophic result. Then, one hour after the game in Glasgow finishes, Denmark - who have yet to concede a goal in qualifying - will have just kicked off at home to Greece.

Although a Denmark victory is the only result that guarantees Scotland at least a playoff spot - all of Scotland should be hoping that is NOT the result!

Scotland and Denmark both winning on Sunday would guarantee Scotland can finish no lower than second, but that result would only be a consolation in my opinion. That’s because finishing in second and entering the playoffs (format explained below) would be very difficult. We’d have to win two consecutive matches, potentially both away from home, against strong opponents.

Having beaten Greece at home and avoided defeat in Copenhagen, Scotland simply must be aiming to win the group from here. Denmark failing to win at home against Greece on Sunday provides the best chance of achieving this.

THE PERMUTATIONS