Norway meet Scotland at Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo in Qualifying Group A of UEFA Euro 2024.
Victory would see Norway climb to second in the group, whilst Scotland will extend their lead at the Group A summit to six points with a win.
Team News
Norway have no fresh injury concerns to report with Erling Haaland set to be available for selection, despite having reported late for international duty after Manchester City’s wild title celebrations.
Scotland will be without defender, Anthony Ralston due to injury which has forced the Celtic right-back to withdraw from the squad.
Ross McCrorie subsequently was called up to replace Ralston in the squad.
John Souttar, Nathan Patterson and Liam Cooper are all available despite having stayed behind with their clubs to focus on recovery from various injuries, yet have managed to recover sufficiently to still be part of the squad in Oslo.
When is Kick-Off?
Norway host Scotland at Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo on Saturday 17 June at 6pm CET (5pm UK Time), live on Viaplay 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Norway are winless in two previous UEFA Euro Qualifiers against Scotland (L2), having lost 3-2 away at Hampden Park in October 1978 then 4-0 at home in June 1979.
- Scotland won 4-0 in their only previous away UEFA Euro Qualifier against Norway in June 1979 (W1), but have lost just twice in 11 overall visits in all competitions (W6, D3, L2).
- No member of Scotland’s last squad to play Norway in November 2013 is part of the current squad selection.
- Norway have won just one of their last six matches in all competitions (W1, D2, L3).
- Four of Scotland’s five goals scored in this group were netted by Scott McTominay.
Prediction
Despite experiencing a drop in form, Norway certainly can’t be written off coming into this fixture given their experienced attack but their defence has been sloppy with just one clean sheet since June 2022.
Haaland however missed their opening defeat to Spain and draw against Georgia so his return will hopefully lift the home spirits, whilst creating a problem for Scotland’s defence to handle.
Scotland though enter this qualifier sat top with two wins in which they scored five goals and conceded none, so I do expect them to turn up in Oslo confident of springing another surprise especially given that they’re yet to lose an European qualifier against Norway.
Steve Clarke’s Tartan Army though know that the pressure is on Norway because if the Norwegians lose this game, it would mean that Scotland have automatic qualification in their hands heading into their last four games in the autumn.
I though do feel that this clash could be harder than Scotland fans might think so a draw might be a fair result.
Prediction: Norway 1-1 Scotland
Result: Norway 1-2 Scotland