Scotland vs Northern Ireland Friendly Preview

Scotland meet Northern Ireland at Hampden Park in an international friendly.

With UEFA Euro 2024 on the horizon, this match marks a last chance for players to stake a claim to a spot in Scotland’s squad.

Northern Ireland meanwhile continue to prepare for this autumn’s UEFA Nations League.

 

Teams

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Scotland have no fresh injury concerns after a 4-0 loss away to the Netherlands as manager, Steve Clarke considers rotating his squad, with players like Liam Cooper and Lyndon Dykes looking to start this game.

Northern Ireland have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 1-1 friendly draw against Romania, with players like Aaron Donnelly, Paul Smyth and Callum Marshall looking for a start if the squad is rotated.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Scotland entertain Northern Ireland at 7:45pm GMT on Tuesday 26 March at Hampden Park, Glasgow, live on Viaplay Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Scotland are unbeaten in three previous friendlies against Northern Ireland (W2, D1).
• Northern Ireland have failed to win any of their three previous friendlies against Scotland, during which they have failed to score but conceded twice.
• All three previous friendlies in this fixture have been played in Scotland.
• Defeat would see Scotland lose seven matches for the first time since August 2004 – March 2005.
• Northern Ireland are winless in their last five away games in all competitions (D1, L4)

 

Prediction

Having failed to win any of their last six matches, Scotland simply need to reset and focus upon the basics again and just cut out their defensive sloppiness which was their downfall in the Netherlands amidst some questionable finishing touches on the attack.

Northern Ireland meanwhile delivered a resilient defensive display in their 1-1 draw away to Romania whilst their counter-attacking was energetic and fast-paced, which could pose an issue if they are allowed to play their game and let Scotland dominate the ball.

Both teams though will make changes but if Scotland just sort out their end product and are better in their man-marking, they should have the edge otherwise it could be a draw.

Prediction: Scotland 1-1 Northern Ireland

Result: Scotland 0-1 Northern Ireland