Who will win Denmark vs Scotland? Our writers deliver predictions for huge World Cup qualifying opener

The journey to the biggest stage in world football starts here and the Tartan Army are desperate to be part of the party

This is it.

The road to the World Cup starts here and while it is a short qualifying campaign. It is a vital one.

Steve Clarke and his troops face just SIX games in order to make it to the biggest party in world football.

The Tartan Army took over Germany for the latest edition of the Euros finals and boy would they love to hit the repeat next summer in USA, Mexico and Canada.

That quest starts on the road as part of a September double-header with a tough task at Denmark kicking things off.

Back to back home defeats to Greece and Iceland was cancelled out with a 4-0 win over minnows Liechtenstein last time out and with this new campaign comes a fresh start and a great chance to put down a marker in the section.

But how will this game play out? Record Sport’s top team give their expert opinions.

Keith Jackson

This is the starting gun for a sprint to the line. By November 18 this condensed qualification campaign will be over in a blur.

So Scotland can’t afford any false starts in Copenhagen and Steve Clarke has enough quality in his ranks to get off to a flyer against an excellent Danish side. Ben Gannon Doak and Scott McTominay will be the key men as Scotland get out of the starting blocks with a win against the odds.

Denmark 1 Scotland 2

Scott McDermott

You can’t underestimate how big this game is for Scotland and Steve Clarke. In a small, tight, condensed World Cup section, it’s absolutely imperative that we take something in Copenhagen if we want to make it to the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer. The Danes have a quality squad so it won’t be easy. But Scotland’s big players like McTominay, McGinn – and hopefully livewire Ben Doak – can see us take a point before a must-win fixture against Belarus on Monday.

Denmark 1 Scotland 1

Scott Burns

I think it is going to be a tough opening challenge. You would have to fancy the Danes but hopefully Scotland can dig deep and take something. You could see Scott McTominay coming up with a moment of magic again.

Denmark 1 Scotland 1

Craig Swan

Denmark have a fearsome home record and, one loss to Spain aside, won the other five on their own patch last season with the loss of a single goal. This is a huge task for Steve Clarke’s men and one they will struggle to pass.

Denmark 2 Scotland 0

Andy Newport

Copenhagen is certainly a tricky opener for Steve Clarke’s side. The Danes have lost just once in their last 17 games at home but Scotland will know a point away from home would equate a more than decent start to this qualifying sprint.

Denmark 1 Scotland 1

Michael Gannon

Denmark are no great shakes right now so there’s nothing to fear for Scotland.

Well, okay, that might be stretching it, but there’s no reason why the Scots can start off by snatching a point on the road.

It might be a bumpy right but match winners like McTominay can do the business.

Denmark 1 Scotland 1

Graeme Young

Boogying in Bavaria feels a distant memory now, but in Steve Clarke’s defence he did get a response out of his Scotland team in the Nations League group stage. But the galling displays against Greece and Iceland hints at a country on the wane under his guidance. Denmark are ushering in a new era but retain quality in key areas.

Denmark 2 Scotland 1