ANYTHING other than a defeat for Scotland as they take on the world's top-ranked team in Brussels this evening would be a stunning result for Steve Clarke's men.

Here is how our writers would send out the national side, and how they think Scotland will get on.

Stewart Fisher, our man in Brussels Scotland (4-3-2-1). Marshall; O'Donnell, McKenna, Mulgrew, Robertson; McTominay, McLean, McGregor; Forrest, Fraser; Burke.

There's a few tough decisions in here - and don't rule out a few curve balls. Firstly, I'm edging for the brawn of McKenna against Romelu Lukaku against the greater poise on the ball of John Souttar. The shortage of time Clarke has had to work with a back four also makes it more likely he will keep as much as possible from Saturday.

The received wisdom is that Scott McTominay will come in for John McGinn and Oliver Burke's pace will win him a start over Eamonn Brophy so I've gone with that but when you consider that the mood music around the camp yesterday was all about the necessity for Scotland to sit in their shape and defend, the pragmatic Steve Clarke could make more changes than that.

While McTominay's ability to cover the ground will help Stephen O'Donnell out by doubling up on Eden Hazard, I wonder if Clarke might consider sacrificing James Forrest to make way for an additional midfielder like Stuart Armstrong or John McGinn, allowing them to sit in two banks of four.

Likewise, don't rule out him going with Eamonn Brophy up top - he knows what he will get from him, an evening of honest toil and that might be precisely what Scotland will need.

Prediction: Belgium 2 Scotland 0.

I'm not sure if most Scotland fans wouldn't sign for a 2-0 right now. Scotland will try to limit the damage as much as possible, and won't come out even if they lose an early goal. My gut tells me the Belgians will just have too much but the ideal scenario is that we are still in the game going into the last 20 minutes.

Matthew Lindsay

Scotland (4-2-3-1): Marshall; O'Donnell, Souttar, Mulgrew, Robertson; McLean, McTominay; Forrest, McGregor, Fraser; Burke.

Steve Clarke has been quite right to talk up Scotland’s chances of pulling off an upset against Belgium in their Euro 2020 qualifier in Brussels this evening.

But just avoiding a humiliating drubbing in the Group I outing in the King Baudouin Stadium tonight will be an achievement of sorts.

Roberto Martinez has a wealth of world-class talent, including Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku, at his disposal.

It is little wonder the top-placed country in the FIFA World Rankings have lost just one of their last 33 qualifiers.

Simply giving a good account of themselves will be something for Scotland. This game has come too early in Clarke’s time as manager for them to produce a shock result.

Prediction: Belgium 3 Scotland 1

Chris Jack

Scotland (4-5-1): Marshall; O’Donnell, McKenna, Mulgrew, Robertson; Forrest, McGinn, McGregor, McTominay, Fraser; Burke. 

STEVE Clarke proved throughout his time as Kilmarnock boss that he can set a team up to stifle and frustrate and his impressive record against the Old Firm spoke volumes about his tactical awareness and organisational skills. This is an even tougher task, though, and it is hard to see how Scotland can keep Belgium quiet tonight.

Oliver Burke is more of a target man that Eamonn Brophy and should get the nod through the middle, while Scott McTominay could come into the team to strengthen the midfield. A draw would be a terrific result for Clarke but Belgium’s superior quality will overcome Scotland’s work-rate and a battling defeat is on the cards.

Prediction: Belgium 2 Scotland 0