Armenia welcome Scotland to Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan, in a crunch Group 1 of League B clash in 2022-23 UEFA Nations League.
Victory could see Armenia climb out of the relegation spot and go as high as second, whereas Scotland can go second with a win, although top position can’t be ruled out if the result of Ukraine’s clash against Republic of Ireland goes in their favour.
Team News
Artak Dashyan is a doubt for Armenia after the midfielder suffered an injury in Saturday’s loss to Ukraine.
Scotland have no fresh injury concerns to report coming into this match with Greg Taylor and David Turnbull looking to start, having been named as unused substitutes in Saturday’s defeat away to Republic of Ireland.
Stat Attack
- Armenia lost their only previous meeting against Scotland in all competitions (L1), as they lost 2-0 at Hampden Park in Glasgow last week.
- Scotland are playing away to Armenia for the first time in all competitions.
- Armenia have won each of their two home matches in 2022 across all competitions by 1-0 results against Montenegro and Republic of Ireland in March and June respectively.
- Joaquin Caparros’ Armenia have scored twice and conceded 14 goals in all competitions in 2022.
- Scotland have conceded five goals in their last two away matches in all competitions (D1, L1).
Prediction
With five goals conceded in their last two matches on the road, Armenia will be happy to be back on home soil but they have to improve defensively if they’re to get their campaign back on track given how tight the group currently looks.
Scotland meanwhile were a defensive disaster away in Ireland on Saturday with inconsistency and poor marking of all three conceded goals, whilst their attack created decent chances but lacked that quality end product which has to change if they’re to avoid slipping into the relegation spot.
Both teams though lost 3-0 last time out to Ukraine and Ireland respectively so I expect both teams to come out fighting, which could suit Scotland if they can make their superior quality count like they did at Hampden Park last week amidst warmer conditions in Yerevan for this clash.
Prediction: Armenia 0-1 Scotland
Result: Armenia 1-4 Scotland
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