Scotland look to consolidate their position at top of UEFA Nations League Group B2 as they welcome Slovakia to Hampden Park.
A win for the Tartan Army will see them remain top of the group and could open a three point gap over Czech Republic if the latter draw with Israel in their clash, whilst a Slovakia win plus a draw in Israel would complicate standings at half-way point of campaign.
Team News
Ross McCrorie, Paul McGinn and Andrew Considine have been called up as replacements by Scotland manager, Steve Clarke after the Tartan Army suffered six withdrawals prior to Thursday’s penalties win over Israel in their Euro 2020 Play-Off semi-final clash.
Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Christie and Kieran Tierney are all in self-isolation after Armstrong’s positive Coronavirus test, whilst Liam Palmer, Scott McKenna and Oliver Burke withdrew through injury prior to that match.
Slovakia have no fresh injury concerns after too needing penalties to advance in their Euro 2020 Play-Off semi-final against Republic of Ireland on Thursday, as manager – Pavel Hapal prepares to rotate his squad.
Stat Attack
- Scotland have won just one of two previous meetings against Slovakia which came in Qualifying for 2018 FIFA World Cup, with both teams winning their home game (W1, L1).
- Slovakia scored the only previous goal in their last visit to Hampden Park as Martin Skrtel scored an own goal to gift Scotland victory in 89th minute.
- Scotland have kept just two clean sheets in six Nations League games covering the current and 2018-19 tournaments.
Prediction
With both teams having needed penalties on Thursday after goalless draws, we could have an interesting clash here because Scotland could be wise going for a 4-4-2 formation in order to give some players a break, whilst accommodating incoming players.
Slovakia meanwhile will likely be playing a single striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation given their available squad of players which could well mean a tough clash of formations because I can see Scotland trying to play quick paced football against an attacking Slovakian team, if those are the two chosen formations,
Clinical finishing and fitness will however be key and given the form of their two previous meetings, I fancy Scotland to just find that edge but this won’t be the most easiest of matches for either team.
Prediction: Scotland 1-0 Slovakia
Result: Scotland 1-0 Slovakia