First test for David Bates in the Scotland defence.

Eros Grezda, belying suggestions he was struggling with an injury, races clear down the wing past Callum McGregor, but debutant Bates is in swiftly to cover.

Scotland's first corner ends with a foul on goalkeeper Etrit Berisha.

The Atalanta man earns his 52nd cap in preference to up-and-coming Thomas Strakosha.

Scotland started the game well, but Albania are starting to settle into possession and Rangers winger Eros Grezda is caught offside as he looks to break behind the visiting defence.

An early chink of light for Scotland as Ryan Fraser looks to pounce on a long ball behind the home defence.

Centre-half Berat Gjimshiti stumbles and it looks like he pushed the ball away with his hand, but no foul is given.

Albania get the game under way in their traditional red, with Scotland in their now familiar dark blue.

Scotland "favourites for promotion".

That's according to the football statisticians at Gracenote, which estimates there is a 58% chance Scotland will earn promotion to Nations League B using their own unique rankings and metrics.

A draw tonight, followed by a win over Israel on Tuesday, would be enough to seal it.

Image source, Getty Images

There's still plenty to play for as Scotland fight for the highest possible seeding in the Euro 2020 draw.

According to Gracenote's analysis, Scotland have a 75% chance of being in Pot 3 but could still drop into Pot 4.

Image source, Getty

That was a rousing version of Flower of Scotland. Plenty of visiting support.

The much more traditional, military-like Albanian anthem is belted out too.

Some good news!

Gracenote estimates Scotland have only a 1% chance of relegation to Nations League D.

Group 1's teams have the least chance of being relegated as they already have a win each and can only be relegated as the worst third-placed team.

Image source, Getty Images

Here come the teams into a rather exposed stadium.

There's not much cover out there. Let's hope it doesn't rain.

Now to the anthems.

Don't look down, chaps...

Image source, SNS

The players are in the tunnel. Not long now...

Scotland head coach Alex McLeish is confident he has the players to beat Albania, despite nine call-offs.

"Two very influential players have dropped out, but not much else is affected in terms of what we planned to do," he said.

"The amount of players calling off has disrupted the squad in general a wee bit, but in saying that, we have prepared the whole week, we know what we want to do."

McLeish has named an attacking line-up but says it is not a must-win game.

"We will try to win, but a draw would not be the worst result in the world also," he said.

And he told Sky Sports before the match that a strong defence is key.

"We have to defend well, that's something we've talked about, the back four can win you the game," he said.

"We believe we can give Albania a few problems."

Image source, SNS

If Alex McLeish is under pressure nine months into his second stint as Scotland boss, Christian Panucci is doubly so just over a year into his tenure with Albania.

His side have only won once - the Nations League group opener at home to Israel - in seven games since a fine 3-2 friendly win away to Turkey in November and only a win can keep alive their chances of avoiding finishing bottom of the group and suffering possible relegation.

"I don't feel under pressure," he insists. "There were a lot of friendly games in 2018, but we know that results are important.

"We created so many chances in the 2-0 defeat by Israel, but our finishing was lacking.

"We have prepared some tactical moves for the Scotland game and we need to be more clinical in front of goal."

Image source, SNS

Albania: Wolfli, Mavraj, Djmsiti, Veseli, Binaku, Memushaj, Xhaka, Kace, Uzuni, Grezda, Manaj

Substitutes: Ndoj, Strakosha, Lilaj, Gavazaj, Lila, Kastrati, Balaj, Dermaku, Ismajli, Vrioni, Kaja, Ademi

Scotland: A McGregor; Paterson, Bates, McKenna, Robertson; Forrest, C McGregor, Christie, Armstrong, Fraser; Fletcher

Substitutes: Bain, Hendry, Shinnie, Mackay-Steven, McTominay, Phillips, McBurnie, Russell, MacDonald

Peter Houston
Former Scotland assistant manager on BBC Sportsound

Albania coach Christian Panucci has himself lost five players from his original squad, but none of them started their last game, the 2-0 Nations League loss away to Israel.

Rangers winger Eros Grezda has passed a late fitness test to continue in the side.

There's a surprise change in goal, with Atalanta's Berisha taking the place of Strakosha, the up-and-coming Lazio 23-year-old.

Empoli defender Freddie Veseli, Panathinaikos midfielder Ergys Kace and Albacete forward Rey Menaj come into the side.

Akhmat Grozny striker Bekim Balaj drops to the bench, while Napoli full-back Elseid Hysaj, Thessaloniki midfielder Migjen Basha are missing through injury.

Uncapped Livingston winger Egli Kaja is on the bench.

Image source, SNS

Asked if the number of call-offs had been disruptive for tonight's game, Scotland captain Andrew Robertson said: "It has been, of course it has.

"Luckily, in our training, we have not set out an XI as such. We have been doing a lot of changes and playing XI v XI.

"Training has been 100% and everyone should know their jobs.

"That is why, if people get called in to the starting XI, they are ready to go.

"We travelled with a squad and that squad is hopefully good enough to get three points."

Image source, SNS

Scotland leaving their arrival in Albania until the evening before tonight's game has been branded "madness" by former Australia striker Scott McDonald.

"To get on an aeroplane less than 24 hours before a game is nonsense," he told BBC Scotland.

"Why have they travelled so late? You are giving players excuses before they've even started."

McDonald liked to be able to visualise himself scoring at the venue itself, but former Scotland forward Steven Thompson said that training on the pitch beforehand was not something he found important.

"It is a two-and-a-half hour flight and the day before a game, you are doing very little," he said.

"You are running through shape, you are doing small boxes, you are doing a very light training session - that can happen anywhere."

Image source, SNS