What are Scotland's chances of progressing as third-place finishers?

If Scotland lose and finish with three points, there are a number of results they will need to look out for - they will want as many groups as possible with two teams finishing on fewer than three points. In Group A, if Mexico beat the Czech Republic and South Korea beat South Africa, that would leave the team in third on one point. The next best scenario would be a big South Africa win to leave South Korea in third with three points and a poor goal difference. Wins for South Africa and the Czech Republic would spell bad news for Scotland, leaving the third-place finisher on four points. One of the few games that take place before Scotland face Brazil that has a bearing on where Scotland could finish comes in Group B. Bosnia-Herzegovina and Qatar meet three hours before Scotland play and, if they draw, both sides will have two points. In Group D, Australia and Paraguay are second and third respectively and meet in their final game. The losers would end the group with three points, while a draw would leave both sides on four. On we go to Group E. Ecuador and Curacao have one point apiece and play Germany and Ivory Coast respectively. Failure to win would mean whoever finishes third cannot better Scotland's tally of three points. In Group F, Scotland will be hoping second-placed Japan beat third-placed Sweden convincingly. A point for Sweden, though, would leave the third-placed finishers on at least four points. …