SCOTLAND gave the World Champions an almighty scare in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier, losing 2-1 to the Germans in Dortmund. Thomas Muller scored either side of half-time gave the hosts the win but life was made difficult for Joachim Low’s side and it was Scotland, not Germany, who will draw more positives from the game of the two.

Manager Gordon Strachan said afterwards that he thought his men were ‘genuinely going to cause an upset’ after Ikechi Anya had levelled in the second half but it wasn’t meant to be with the sumptuous Muller breaking Scots’ hearts with the winner twenty minutes from time.

Group D – Top Two Finish prices from BetVictor: Germany 1/100, Rep of Ireland 6/5, Poland 5/4, Scotland 3/1, Georgia 250/1 and Gibraltar 5000/1.

BetVictor eased the Scots to 9/4 (from 2/1) to qualify for the finals and cut to 1/3 (from 4/11) to not be at France 2016 after the winning starts of Ireland and Poland however after Sunday’s performance they still warrant respect and appear as excellent value to progress.

Based on initial performances in Group D a top-two finish remains highly realistic and despite BetVictor easing Scotland to 3/1 (from 11/4) to follow Germany (1/12 favourites to top the group) home in second place, it remains the opinion of this writer that they appear the value ahead of Poland and the Irish.

On the domestic front, Dumbarton return to Scottish Championship action after last week’s excellent 1-0 home defeat of Livingston by hosting Hearts at the weekend. Robbie Neilson’s side have won all four games to the new season including turning over Title favourites Rangers at Ibrox last month and cut to 11/10 with BetVictor to be Champions, Rangers 8/13 and 20/1 bar the front two.

BetVictor make the visitors 8/13 favourites to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season, Dumbarton 14/5 and the draw 3/1 with the Sons fancied to nick a share of the spoils at the very least. There was a lot to like about the manner of the 1-0 defeat of Livi and the first clean sheet of the season will have given manager Ian Murray a great sense of pleasure.

The Bet Butler Stadium proved a difficult place to visit last term with Dumbarton sending Hamilton Accies, Falkirk et al packing and as such the Sons can nick a point with the 1-1 correct score appealing as excellent value at 8/1. Dumbarton are 7/1 to win the game and both teams to score, whilst a repeat of last week’s success by the solitary goal is 18/1 with BetVictor.

The big two in the Premiership face-off on Saturday with Aberdeen visiting a Celtic side that have now gone four games without a win in all competitions, the Dons bidding to extend that at Celtic Park on Saturday. BetVictor make Celtic 9/20 to end that run and seal a first success since last month’s 6-1 defeat of Dundee United, Aberdeen 6/1 and the draw 7/2.

Pressure continues to mount on Hoops’ boss Ronny Delta and it would be no surprise to see his players nervous and edgy ahead of the weekend’s clash; Aberdeen the 11/10 favourites in the betting without the Champions and 25/1 second favourites for the Title.

McInnes’ men can nick a share of the spoils and can be backed at 13/8 to leave with a share of the spoils at the very least and 2/1 with BetVictor to lead at anytime during the game.

For all the latest odds and more head to BetVictor.com