Monday 2 October 2017 17:29, UK
Former Celtic and Slovakia playmaker Lubomir Moravcik admits Scotland will be slight favourites when the two sides meet at Hampden in this week's World Cup Qualifiers, live on Sky Sports.
Gordon Strachan's men face two must-win matches over the next two weeks as they seek to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Victories against Slovakia and Slovenia would secure a second-placed finish in World Cup qualifying Group F, with the two sides both currently ahead of Scotland in the table but behind leaders England.
A point at Hampden would almost certainly be enough to guarantee Slovakia second place ahead of their game against Malta next week, but Moravcik, who starred for Celtic for four years between 1998 and 2002, thinks home advantage will play a huge part on Thursday night, although conceded his country is still most likely to progress.
"Slovakia are in the best position because Slovenia go to England and that is very hard for them," he said. "But Scotland also must go to Slovenia (next Monday) and win.
"It's still hard but the most important game is Thursday against Slovakia.
"I didn't see Scotland play in their last two games, but Scotland is the slight favourite in this game because they play at home. I know in Scotland the fans are very important part of the game."
Slovakia impressed at Wembley against England last time out, taking an early lead through Stanislav Lobotka before going on to lose 2-1 to offer Scotland hope of catching them.
However, that positive approach is something Moravcik believes Jan Kozak's side have to maintain if they are to get a result in Scotland.
He said: "For me, the most likely result will be the draw. What I said about the fans is an advantage for Scotland in this game, but Slovakia won't come to only defend.
"They played well against England, who are a very strong team, and in the first 20 minutes they kept the ball and scored a goal and I think that is the way to play against Scotland."
