Scotland welcome Poland to Hampden Park in a special international friendly in aid of UNICEF humanitarian response in Ukraine.
Both teams were originally set to be in 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Play-Off action but Scotland’s tie against Ukraine was postponed, whilst Poland got a free pass to their UEFA Qualifying Play-Off Final for 2022 FIFA World Cup after Russia were kicked out of the competition.
Team News
David Marshall has withdrawn from the Scotland squad due to a hamstring injury suffered in QPR’s loss at Nottingham Forest last week, and has been replaced by St Johnstone’s Zander Clark.
Scott McKenna (hamstring) is also absent with Craig Halkett instead handed his first senior call-up in McKenna’s place, whilst Ross Stewart has also been called up for the first time.
Poland will be without Maciej Rybus after the 32 year-old defender withdrew following a positive Coronavirus test.
Karol Swiderski meanwhile has withdrawn through injury.
Stat Attack
- Scotland are unbeaten in four of six previous friendlies against Poland (W2, D2, L2).
- Poland are unbeaten in two previous away friendlies against Scotland (W1, D1).
- Both teams have scored in four of their six previous friendlies in this fixture.
- Scotland have kept five clean sheets in their last six matches in all competitions (W6).
- Robert Lewandowski has scored four goals in two of his last three away appearances for Poland – only failing to score in a 1-0 win in Albania in October.
Prediction
Although this is a fundraising friendly in support of Ukraine, Scotland certainly should view this game as a chance to test themselves against Poland if want to extend their unbeaten run.
Steve Clarke’s Tartan Army though can take heart from how they defeated Denmark in their last outing because despite finding themselves outplayed, they were the more clinical in their attacking play especially from set pieces and crosses which could be crucial here.
Poland meanwhile suffered an unexpected defeat against Hungary in their last match but do possess top quality players, so I am expecting them to come out fighting because they won’t want to head into next week’s Play-Off Final with two consecutive defeats.
Team selection therefore could well be telling because Scotland now have two friendlies in this international window, which means more room for experimentation whereas Poland need to prepare well for their crunch Play-Off tie whilst avoiding injuries in a friendly game.
Add in the fact that this is a fundraiser friendly than any typical friendly and it will be interesting to see how both teams mentally approach this, although I do expect Scotland to still take it seriously due to the advantage of having nothing to play for this month.
Prediction: Scotland 2-1 Poland
Result: Scotland 1-1 Poland