WALES v SCOTLAND: THE FACTS

Part 1 of a 3-part analysis of the Celtic clash

Cardiff City Stadium opens its doors to the Football Associations of Wales and Scotland this Friday evening, as Chris Coleman’s Dragons look to kick-start a faltering World Cup qualifying campaign against Craig Levein’s Tartan Army.

It’ll be the first time that the two sides have faced each other in Cardiff since November 2009 – that game also being played on the home turf of the Bluebirds following our move across the road from Ninian Park earlier in the year. A young and exciting Wales ran out 3-0 victors on that occasion, though few expect this outcome to be as clear cut.

looks at the Celtic cousins’ rivalry over the years, including the paths at which Cardiff City Football Club and the nation of Scotland have crossed since our inception.ShepherdRichardCardiff City’s Club historian

RECENT FORTUNES: WALES AND SCOTLAND

Wales and Scotland find themselves in World Cup 2014 Qualifying Group A, together with Belgium, Croatia, Macedonia and Serbia. Following the sad passing of Gary Speed last November, the Welsh have struggled to find any sort of on-field form with five consecutive defeats. Results of those games are as follows:

(Friendly)29/02/12 - Wales 0-1 Costa Rica

(Friendly)27/05/12 - Wales 0-3 Mexico

(Friendly)15/08/12 - Wales 0-2 Bosnia-Herzegovina

(World Cup Qualifier)07/09/12 - Wales 0-2 Belgium

(World Cup Qualifier)11/09/12 - Serbia 6-1 Wales

who faces suspension following his dismissal in that Serbia game.James Collins, with that stunning free-kick against Serbia last month proving a rare highlight of a bleak twelve months. Coleman will surely look to the former Southampton man for similar genius this weekend, though he’ll have to cope without the defensive qualities of former Bluebird Gareth BaleWales’ only goal during this barren spell came from the boot of Tottenham’s

.CroatiansFollowing Friday’s game, Wales continue their World Cup Qualifying campaign at Croatia on Tuesday night. Aspirations of qualification may be over should results not go favourably, though fixtures will recommence in March 2013 with a short away trip to Scotland and a home clash with the 

, as a football nation, have had little joy themselves in recent years, though their current form is very good indeed. The Scots are unbeaten in their last five games, results of those being:Scotland

(Friendly)29/02/12 – Slovenia 1-1 Scotland

(Friendly)26/05/12 – USA 1-5 Scotland

(Friendly)15/08/12 – Scotland 3-1 Australia

(World Cup Qualifier)08/09/12 – Scotland 0-0 Serbia

(World Cup Qualifier)11/09/12 – Scotland 1-1 Macedonia

The Scots are unbeaten since falling 2-1 to Cyprus in a friendly fixture in Larnaca last November. Next week they travel to group favourites Belgium to continue their Qualifying campaign, before recommencing it against the Welsh in the return fixture on March 22 2013.

Part 2 of our build-up to Friday evening's fixture takes a historical look at the rivalry between Wales and our close cousins.