Scotland captain Darren Fletcher talking to the media yesterday:

"Slovakia aren't in a good place just now, and with them being second seeds in the group, if we could win here then it would be massive. Even coming here and not losing would put us in a strong position in the group with plenty of games to play. 

"We're not ruling ourselves out. We're still in this group and still fighting, there's still a long way to go and we still believe in ourselves." 

Before we get too cocky, focusing on Slovakia's recent struggles, it should be remembered that they still have a few tasty players.

Martin Skrtel, returning from suspension tonight, and Jan Durica form a highly experienced barrier in central defence. They kept England out at the Euros and almost did it again on the opening weekend of this group, only for former Liverpool man Skrtel to get himself sent off before Adam Lallana found a deflected winner in the half hour of stoppage time added on.

AC Milan's Juraj Kucka is an imposing figure in the middle of the park, while Robert Mak is a lively winger for Zenit Saint Petersburg.

But the star man is Marek Hamsik. The Napoli midfielder is a box of tricks and has 19 goals from 93 international appearances. Scotland will need to keep a very close eye on the 29-year-old.

Image source, Get

So, what can we expect from Slovakia? En route to Euro 2016 they finished a creditable five points behind Spain in their group, winning seven out of 10 matches.

Gordon Strachan said yesterday that their playing style had changed "drastically" since the summer in France and, by the looks of it, not for the better.

Tonight's hosts have gone four games without a goal.

"We have had a long-term problem with the strikers," former Celtic hero Lubo Moravcik told BBC Scotland. "We don't really have a top striker.

"Marek Hamsik for us is a key player and, if he is not on top form, it starts to be difficult for us.

"Hamsik is good when there is a striker who can keep the ball in front of him."

While there is undoubtedly pressure on Scotland to take something from tonight's game, it's nothing like the heat facing Slovakia head coach Jan Kozak.

The hosts fared reasonably at Euro 2016, finishing behind Wales and England in their group before they were thumped 3-0 by Germany.

But they are approaching disarray after two qualifying losses and the absence of key players does not help.

Miroslav Stoch has been banished from the squad after an apparent bust-up with Kozak and former Rangers midfielder Vladimir Weiss has been temporarily suspended following his arrest for refusing to take a breath-test when pulled over in his car.

Image source, Getty Images

Rob Maclean
BBC Scotland

England are in Slovenia looking to extend their record of 14 straight wins in qualifying games. One-in-a-row would do for Scotland.

This is the 19th competitive match of Gordon Strachan's reign and he's looking for a ninth victory.

On the road, the Scotland manager has overseen four wins from eight.

The early indications suggest fans are less than pleased with the starting line-up...

Slovakia: Kozacik, Sabo, Skrtel, Durica, Holubek, Kucka, Skriniar, Duris, Hamsik, Mak, Nemec.

Substitutes: Novota, Stetina, Gregus, Kiss, Povazanec, Bakos, Hrosovsky, Pauschek, Salata, Svento, Dubravka.

Scotland: Marshall, Paterson, R Martin, Hanley, Tierney, Snodgrass, Bannan, D Fletcher, McArthur, Ritchie, S Fletcher.

Substitutes: Gordon, Forrest, Morrison, Maloney, Griffiths, Anya, C Martin, Wallace, Berra, McGinn, Robertson, Hamilton.

Rob Maclean
BBC Scotland

Good to see James McArthur starting after coming off the bench to score the equaliser at the weekend. On the evidence of the Lithuania game, we need more grit in that central midfield area. And, as he's shown a couple of times this season for Crystal Palace ahead of his Hampden goal, the former Hamilton midfielder is developing a scoring touch.    

All of the Group F teams are in action at the same time tonight, with leaders England in Slovenia and Lithuania at home to Malta.

Do Scotland want England to run away with this, so we can scrap it out for second? Or is cheering on the Auld Enemy a step too far?

There has been much wailing and gnashing of teeth since Saturday's draw with Lithuania. The first half at Hampden was simply abysmal, with Scotland only really getting going in the closing stages when they were rewarded by James McArthur's 89th-minute header.

Did we all get carried away after the 5-1 victory in Malta, forgetting that two of the goals were freakish - a cross going straight in and a phantom penalty - and a red card for Malta after an hour?

A win or a draw tonight would restore belief that a first major finals since 1998 is possible and lift spirits for November's trip to Wembley.

Image source, SNS

Rob Maclean
BBC Scotland

I'm happy to see Kieran Tierney starting tonight but have to assume that Andy Robertson, top man against Lithuania, is carrying a knock. Still no Leigh Griffiths but let's hope Steven Fletcher up front gets some decent supply. Chris Martin, "outstanding" in the manager's eyes on Saturday, gets the elbow. Ollie Burke drops out as well. Does that mean Barry Bannan plays further forward and it's more like three in the midfield? I'm sure Gordon will let us know. 

Scotland XI: Marshall, Paterson Martin, Hanley, Tierney, D Fletcher, McArthur, Bannan, Snodgrass, Ritchie, S Fletcher.

Skipper Darren Fletcher has been passed fit after being withdrawn at half time on Saturday. Steven Fletcher comes in to lead the attack, Kieran Tierney takes over at left-back and James McArthur earns a start after coming off the bench to score against Lithuania.

Andy Robertson, Oliver Burke and Chris Martin are the men dropping out.

Image source, SNS

We may only be two games into World Cup qualifying Group F but already this one has make-or-break written all over it.

Slovakia, seeded second, have yet to pick up a point after defeats to England and Slovenia, while Scotland slipped up when scrambling a late draw at home to Lithuania on Saturday.

Defeat for either side would be hugely damaging, so does that make it a must-win or a must-not-lose for Scotland?