Scotland begin their 2020-21 UEFA Nations League campaign as they welcome Israel to Hampden Park in their opening clash.
With both teams set to meet here next month in their Euro 2020 Play-Off semi-final tie, this is a huge opportunity for both teams to seize an early physiological advantage ahead of that clash whilst also getting their Nations League campaign off to a strong start.
Team News
Scotland will be without strikers, Oli McBurnie and Lawrence Shankland after the duo withdrew with respective foot and ankle injuries.
Israel have no injury concerns or withdrawal with a full squad available for selection.
Stat Attack
- Scotland have won one of two previous Nations League meetings against Israel (W1, L1), although they failed to keep clean sheets on both occasions.
- Israel have lost two previous trips to Hampden Park, conceding three goals on both occasions.
- John McGinn has scored five goals in Scotland’s last two home matches in all competitions.
Prediction
Given that this is the third Nations League meeting between these teams and neither have kept a clean sheet in their two clashes during the 2018-19 edition, this definitely promises to be an interesting clash and Scotland’s squad selection suggests that we could see a 4-2-3-1 formation deployed by Steve Clarke given the lack of available strikers.
Israel however have proven themselves to be difficult opposition for the Tartan Army but come into this match with one win in their last six and have conceded three goals in each of their last two trips to Hampden Park.
I therefore am expecting goals here but given Scotland’s and in particularly John McGinn’s form in their last three outings, I have to go for a Tartan Army win.
Prediction: Scotland 2-1 Israel
Result: Scotland 1-1 Israel