Get the latest predictions, team news and betting tips as Scotland get their Nations League campaign underway versus Poland at Hampden Park this Thursday night (7.45pm BST).
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Although the Nations League can often be a low-scoring tournament, this game comes just as most players in European leagues have just hit their stride for the new season and it’s worth noting that goals have been forthcoming in games involving either of these sides of late.
Poland’s last five games, including all three of their outings at this summer’s European Championship, have seen both teams find the net and in Michał Probierz, they’ve found a manager that knows when to sit back and defend but when to look to spring an attack and in Robert Lewandowski he still has one of the most potent strikers in Europe at his disposal.
Scotland meanwhile have only failed to find the net in one of their last five games – although unfortunately that was arguably the most important of those five, the 0-1 defeat to Hungary in their third group stage game at Euro 2024. Che Adams is missing from the squad, but Lyndon Dykes and Tommy Conway have both found the net in the Championship already this season.
Only four teams conceded more shots per 90 minutes than Scotland at this summer’s European Championship in Germany as the Tartan Army shipped seven goals from 44 attempts at goal in their three matches, so we expect them to face a few shots from a Polish outfit that will look to hit the hosts on the counter attack in this game.
Piotr Zielinski was a particular threat from midfield for the Eagles at Euro 2024. Having adopted a more advanced role for his country than he did at Napoli last season, the 30 year old took eight shots across his three appearances in Germany and as Poland’s set-piece taker he is always an interesting player to look at for a shot bet when it comes to international fixtures. Expect the new Inter Milan signing to test the Scottish backline here.
The summer didn’t exactly go to plan for Steve Clarke and Scotland as they were unceremoniously dumped out of the European Championships during the group stages having picked up just one point from a draw with Switzerland and losing to Germany and Hungary in their other two fixtures. They now look to bounce back as they compete in Division A of the Nations League for the first time.
New Torino striker Che Adams has picked up an injury and misses out for the Tartan Army, while Celtic duo James Forrest and Greg Taylor have also had to pull out of the squad through injury. Perhaps the most interesting inclusion in Scotland’s squad is that of Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Ryan Gauld who will look to finally earn his first senior cap several years after his first call up to the squad.
Scotland Predicted XI: Gunn; Porteous, Hanley, McKenna; Ralston, Gauld, Gilmour, Robertson; McTominay, McGinn; Dykes.
Poland had the same record as Scotland at this summer’s European Championships with one draw and two defeats from their three games. The Eagles did restore some pride with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Didier Deschamps’ French outfit after defeats to the Netherlands and Austria in their first two games.
Piotr Zielinski is expected to start for Poland despite not yet being able to make his debut for new club Inter Milan in Serie A. There will be at least two changes to Michal Probierz’s usual starting eleven however as the long-serving duo of Kamil Grosicki and Wijciech Szczesny have both announced their retirement from international duty.
Poland Predicted XI: Skorupski; Bednarek, Bereszynski, Kiwior, Puchacz; Frankowski, Zielinski, Moder, Zalewski, Urbanski; Lewandowski.
Interestingly, five of the last six meetings between these two proud footballing nations have ended level after 90 minutes, with all five of those draws seeing both teams find the net.
The last competitive meetings between the two teams were in qualifying for Euro 2016, where both matches ended 2-2 but the Eagles were able to qualify for the tournament by finishing Group D with six points more than the Tartan Army.
Last Five Results:
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Scotland vs Poland Prediction & Tips
Scotland vs Poland Predictions Full Time Result: Draw Correct Score: 1-1 Both Teams To Score: Yes Over 2.5 Goals: No First Goalscorer: Scott McTominay Scotland vs Poland Tips Both teams to score @ 19/20 with Midnite Piotr Zielinski 2+ shots @ 11/8 with Sky Bet Although the Nations League can often be a low-scoring tournament,…
