This is a key battle in the race to finish second behind runaway leaders Denmark in Group F. Scotland hold an advantage over Israel but it's only a narrow one and they can't afford to lose that initiative at Hampden Park on Saturday.
Scotland's qualifying campaign has been solid enough so far, indeed they have lost just one of their last ten games on home soil. That goes some way to explaining why they are a shade of odds-on (10/11 with Grosvenor Sport) to extend their lead over Israel this weekend.
These sides fought out a 1-1 draw back in March, the most recent of three draws between these nations from their last four meetings, while the Group F table confirms that there isn't a great deal between them in this qualifying campaign.
One notable difference, though, is that Israel's games have involved more goals, at either end of the pitch. Israel games average over four goals per game, while Scotland's average just over two.
Scotland managed just three shots on target against an Austria side that have already shipped 13 goals in this group and they don't have a particularly inspiring recent record in front of goal in recent meetings with Israel.
Prediction for Scotland vs Israel
Six of Scotland's last seven fixtures in all competitions have seen at least one side not score a goal and half the time it's been Steve Clarke's side that haven't been able to make the breakthrough.
Three of the last four meetings between these sides have produced under 2.5 goals and ended in a stalemate and, given Scotland's attacking inadequacies, that looks a decent way to approach this game because we cover the 0-0 and 1-1 options, which look the most likely scorelines.
Recommended bet: Draw and Under 2.5 goals - 3/1
Scotland vs Israel odds with Grosvenor Sport
Scotland 10/11
Draw 49/20
Israel 3/1
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Scotland vs Israel Head to Head
28 Mar, 2021: Israel 1-1 Scotland (World Cup Qualifiers)
18 Nov, 2020: Israel 1-0 Scotland (Nations League)
8 Oct, 2020: Scotland 0-0 Israel (Euros Qualifying play-off)
4 Sep, 2020: Scotland 1-1 Israel (Nations League)
20 Nov, 2018: Scotland 3-2 Israel (Nations League)
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