So is this game against Georgia in Tbilisi a guaranteed three points for Scotland?

Not really. There are, as the old cliché goes, no easy games in international football. There is a feeling among the members of the Tartan Army who have travelled here to Georgia that this match is the best opportunity Scotland have had so far in their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign to win away from home. Having played World Cup winners Germany, Poland and the Republic of Ireland on the road so far, there is probably some truth in that. However, that does not mean this outing will be straightforward. The temperature this week has been well into the thirties and the playing conditions will suit the home team. The national team will definitely have to hit top form in the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena to prevail and strengthen their chances of progressing to the European Championship finals in France next summer.

How are Scotland looking?

Good. Gordon Strachan has all of his key players fit and available. He has a few big decisions to make at centre half, left back and up front. He played Charlie Mulgrew alongside Russell Martin in the middle of his defence in the 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland in June. But Grant Hanley is now fit again and Gordon Greer has been performing well for Brighton in the English Championship this season. Strachan is a huge admirer of Mulgrew and will probably keep faith with the versatile Celtic player. At left back, Andy Robertson and Steven Whittaker will both be hoping to be involved. The latter, though, is possibly more reliable defensively. He acquitted himself well in the 2-2 draw with section leaders Poland in Warsaw in October and has been doing well for Norwich in the English Premier League this season. In attack, the manager has a quandary, too. Leigh Griffiths is in sensational form for Scottish champions Celtic. Steven Fletcher has not been enjoying such an impressive spell with a Sunderland side which is rooted to the bottom of the English Premier League. But the man Celtic were keen on signing on loan during the transfer window is probably the better option to lead the line away from home. He can win possession in the final third, hold up the ball and bring those around him, Ikechi Anya, Steven Naismith and Shaun Maloney, into play. Griffiths will probably be brought on in the second half.

So what is the probable Scotland line-up?

Strachan will keep faith with a 4-2-3-1 formation. My guess is he will opt for David Marshall in goals, Alan Hutton at right back, Russell Martin and Charlie Mulgrew in the heart of the defence, Steven Whittaker at left back, Scott Brown and James Morrison as deep-lying midfielders, Anya, Naismith and Maloney ahead of them and Fletcher up front. But the Scotland manager surprised everyone with his team selection in Dublin a couple of months ago. James McArthur, Darren Fletcher, Andy Robertson, Matt Ritchie and James Forrest are all performing well for their club sides and are pushing hard for inclusion.

What tactics will the national team adopt?

Being away from home, Scotland will be more defensive than in their outings at Ibrox, Celtic Park and Hampden. Strachan is conscious the heat will play a huge part in the game. He has stressed to his charges this week that they cannot afford to approach the game at 100 miles-per-hour. Scott Brown, in particular, will have to curb his natural enthusiasm. Georgia will attempt to make the visitors tire themselves out. But if Anya and Maloney are in the side, Scotland will look to attack their opponents down the wings. Both men have been absolutely outstanding for their country during this campaign. They have the pace and skill to unlock the rival backline.

And how are Georgia shaping up?

Better. Temuri Ketsbaia resigned as manager following a 4-0 defeat to Poland at home in November. The former Newcastle United, Wolves and Dundee midfielder was replaced by Kakhaber Tskhadadze. The former CIS and Georgia defender has overseen two defeats – to Germany at home and Poland away – since taking charge. But the perception here is that he has made his country a more reliable unit. Strachan certainly feels their position in Group D - they are second bottom above only Gibraltar - is misleading. Scotland defeated their opponents 1-0 at Ibrox last October and were comfortably the better team. But they still endured a few anxious moments at the end of the match before prevailing. Tskhadadze, though, has concerns over his goalkeeper. He is considering dropping his Giorgi Loria who is without a club after parting company with Olympiacos in Greece. But Nukri Revishvili, who plays for Mordovia Saransk in the Russian Premier League, is set to be drafted into the side and he has won 24 caps. He is a more than adequate replacement.

Score prediction?

Georgia 1, Scotland 3.