Norway v Scotland: Walter Smith declared himself as "optimistic as ever" as he contemplated the game that could determine Scotland's World Cup fate tonight, though the coach's preparations have been severely hampered by the uncertainty still surrounding Nigel Quashie's availability to face Norway.
The Southampton midfielder will undergo a fitness test this morning on hip and knee injuries, with Smith's line-up formation dependent on the result.
Scotland must be bold with or without the 27-year-old, given their acceptance that anything other than a win at the Ullevaal Stadium will prove insufficient to force passage to Germany.
Smith's instinct is to employ a three-man defence - with Steven Pressley back from suspension - and Quashie's presence in midfield. Without him, Smith may revert to four at the back.
Smith's basic problem remains the lack of genuine quality at his disposal. Losing Lee McCulloch and Garry O'Connor has limited the attacking options. Had the pair been available then Scotland would still have been able to combine rugged defence with a sustained attacking threat.
Norway are depleted by suspension - Morten Gamst Pedersen, Jon Inge Hoiland and Erik Hagen are out - but John Arne Riise returns from a ban and with John Carew in form, Norway still look imposing. Only the boldest member of the Tartan Army is predicting a Scotland win.
NORWAY (4-2-3-1, probable): Myhre; Solli, Lundekvam, Riseth, Bergdolmo; Andresen, Grindheim; Valencia, Iversen, Riise; Carew.
SCOTLAND (3-5-1-1, probable): Gordon (Hearts); Weir (Everton), Pressley, Webster (both Hearts); Alexander (Preston), Fletcher (Manchester United), Ferguson (Rangers), Quashie (Southampton), McNamara (Wolves); Hartley (Hearts); K Miller (Wolves).
Referee: A Hamer (Luxembourg).
Guardian Service
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