The second International round of this season gets underway in Tel Aviv as Israel host Scotland in their Group C1.
Having experiencing contrasting fortunes in their opening matches, this is a must win if either are to stand a chance at promotion to League B.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesIsrael are set to hand striker, Moanes Dabour a start after he netted twice in Red Bull’s Salzburg 3-1 win over Celtic last week.
Scotland will be without Ryan Fraser and Leigh Griffiths, meaning that Steven Naismith, Johnny Russell and Oli McBurnie are Alex McLeish’s only attacking options in this match.
John McGinn and Scott McTominay are expected to feature despite joining up with respective knocks to ankle and knee.
Stat Attack
- Scotland have won two previous meetings in Israel, winning 1-0 on both occasions in the 1980s whilst clinching a 3-1 home win during that decade.
- Israel are on a four match losing streak, scoring once and conceding seven.
- Andrew Robertson has created 37 chances for Scotland but is yet to produce an assist.
Prediction
Israel are quite difficult to beat at home, having lost by one goal margins in last three home games, with two of those defeats being by a single goal.
Scotland meanwhile are not the best at the back and with Dabour expected to start, I can see both teams scoring but it will be an away win.
Prediction: Israel 1-2 Scotland
Result: Israel 2-1 Scotland