Wales hoping to defy logic

Wales must tonight produce a performance to defy logic. Indeed, if victory is to be theirs, it may also have to beggar belief.

Glorious though the prospect of opening their Euro 2000 campaign against Italy at Anfield may be, it seems to represent pitfall rather than springboard.

The decision to stage such a prestigious fixture in England would seem to have pleased more Italians than Welsh, the dissenting voices claiming that to overlook Wrexham's Racecourse or Swansea's Vetch Field while Cardiff's National Stadium is being renovated is to surrender an advantage.

The first to voice his concern was Wales's all-time leading goalscorer Ian Rush, and he will not be the last should Italy win.

"By playing what is obviously a crucial game not in Wales but on Merseyside, we may have handed the initiative to Italy before a ball has even been kicked," argued Rush.

"I would rather play at Colwyn Bay or Merthyr than at Anfield," added the captain Gary Speed.

Not that the Wales coach Bobby Gould is unduly concerned with the make-up of tonight's audience - he has quite enough problems with the make-up of his team.

With John Hartson and Mark Pembridge ruled out because of injury, Gould's already limited options have been hacked back further. Even so with Ryan Giggs and Nathan Blake likely to play upfront, there may not be room for Dean Saunders.

With the group also containing the talents of Denmark and Switzerland, along with the banana skin Republic of Belarus, Wales will be required to start brightly.

Wales: (possible): Jones; Robinson, Williams, Symons, Coleman, Barnard; Savage, Speed; Hughes; Blake, Giggs or Saunders.

Italy: (possible): Peruzzi; Torricelli, Cannavaro, Fresi, Serena; Albertini, D Baggio, Di Biagio, Fuser; Vieri, Del Piero.

Craig Brown leads Scotland into a new era today with a clear message for his players. Lithuania will provide the opposition in the opening match of the Euro 2000 qualifying campaign at the rundown Zingaris Stadium in the former Soviet state.

After a disappointing World Cup campaign Scotland will be looking for a victory to erase the memory of their 3-0 defeat by Morocco in France.

Brown is expected to make minor adjustments to the side tomorrow and has indicated that Leicester's Matt Elliott will make his competitive debut for Scotland.