2024-25 UEFA Nations League Play-Offs: First Leg – Greece vs Scotland

Greece host Scotland in the first leg of their 2024-5 UEFA Nations League’s promotion-relegation play-off.

Greece qualified for this stage as runners-up in their League B group, whilst Scotland finished third in their League A group.

 

Team News

Greece have a full squad available for selection.

Scotland too have no fresh injury concerns to report, although forward, George Hirst was a late addition to the squad due to successfully needing international clearance – having represented England at youth level.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Greece host Scotland at Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus, on Thursday 20 March at 9:45pm local time (7:45pm UK Time), live on BBC One Scotland in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Greece’s first UEFA Nations League meeting against Scotland.
• Scotland lost 1-0 in their only previous visit to Greece in December 1994 across all competitions.
• Both Greece and Scotland won 1-0 at home in their two previous meetings in all competitions.
• Anastasios Bakasetas has scored in two of his last three appearances for Greece.
• John McGinn has scored in each of Scotland’s last two matches (W2).

 

Prediction

Having narrowly missed out on automatic promotion to League A after a strong League B campaign last autumn, Greece to me feel like favourites if they can continue to play with their usual quality and keep delivering the goals.

Scotland though won’t make this easy after two confidence-boosting wins over Croatia and Poland in their last outings and with Hirst now part of their forward selection, I do hope that he can settle quickly because he could well be key if their forward line is to end its rut having scored just twice in 2024 unlike other parts of the team.

Defence though is going to have to be Scotland’s initial priority because with this Greek team capable of causing huge issues if play like they did last autumn, I think that trying to nick a draw or minimise any defeat will be key if they want to get home for the second leg with the tie in the balance.

Prediction: Greece 1-1 Scotland

Result: Greece 0-1 Scotland