During a team-talk widely expected to be his last as Scotland manager, Craig Brown will remind his players today the improbable does happen. With Tottenham's goalkeeper Neil Sullivan in the dressing room, he should have at least one disciple.
Last Saturday, Sullivan saw Manchester United recover from 3-0 down to win 5-3 at White Hart Lane. A week on he has to hope his goal remains intact against Latvia while Scotland score seven and Belgium triumph in Croatia. Only then can the play-offs beckon.
Latvia have not conceded more than four in this campaign and recent history suggests Scotland are unlikely to get five.
Brown, though, remains hopeful. His pre-match address will include a couple of examples of the unexpected for his team to cling to.
"I was at Dundee when the German champions, Cologne, came in the European Cup," the coach said yesterday. "You know the result? 8-1. What odds would you have got on that? We were two down with an Under-21 team at Aberdeen against Germany and won 4-3."
Brown is expected to give Dougie Freedman his debut in the hope the 27-year-old can provide the bite that has brought him 10 goals for Crystal Palace this season. Freedman is likely to have Neil McCann to his left, with Don Hutchison supporting. Barry Nicholson could make his home debut in midfield.
The good news for Scotland is that of the six English-based players in Latvia's side, only Southampton's Marian Pahars is starting regularly for his club.
SCOTLAND (3-5-2, possible): Sullivan; Weir, Elliott, Dailly; Nicholson, Hutchison, Burley, Cameron, Naysmith; Freedman, McCann
LATVIA (4-4-2, possible): Kolinko; Laizans, Lobanovs, Stepanovs, Blagonadezdins; Bleidelis, Isakovs, Astafjevs, Rubins; Pahars, Miholaps
