Verdict: Portugal win
Finest Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Luckster
Trying to prolong on their 100% Nations League document on Tuesday evening, Portugal will journey to Hampden after they meet Scotland.
Scotland
Beginning with the hosts, marking their return to Nations League motion over the weekend with a 2-1 loss away at Croatia, Scotland discover themselves on the coronary heart of a public disaster. Enduring an actual EURO 24 battle over the summer season as they solely put a single level on the board, the stress on Steve Clarke’s shoulders is at a boiling level. Getting their League A journey underway on September fifth with a worrying 3-2 defeat by the hands of Poland, the previous Kilmarnock boss has come beneath an enormous quantity of stress. Signing off their European marketing campaign with a toothless 1-0 defeat towards Hungary, Scotland have registered only a sole level from any of their earlier six aggressive appearances. Likewise, dealing with what appears to be like set to be one other heavyweight problem after they return to Hampden on Tuesday evening, the Tartan Military have additionally recorded only a single win from any of their final 15 consecutive showdowns throughout all competitions.
Crew Information
Withdrawing from Scotland’s squad final week after sustaining an harm situation, Clarke will as soon as once more be unable to name upon Norwich goalkeeper Craig Gordon on Tuesday evening. Whereas veteran shot-stopper Craig Gordon may flip 42 in December, the ex-Sunderland star will begin between the sticks at Hampden.
Whereas the Tartan Military is likely to be coping with an harm disaster, Liverpool defender Andy Robertson will lead out Clarke’s squad and earn a 78th worldwide cap right here. Pressured to accept a spot on the bench away at Croatia over the weekend, Torino striker Che Adams may very well be handed a full recall in Glasgow.
Portugal
As for the guests, whereas Portugal might need suffered EURO 24 heartbreak over the summer season as they fell to a quarter-final defeat towards France, the Navigators have come roaring again in some type. Marking their return to League A motion over the weekend with a rampant efficiency as they stormed their method to a 3-1 romp away at Poland, Roberto Martinez’s males are firing on all cylinders. Getting proceedings underway on September fifth with an attention grabbing 2-1 win towards Croatia, the previous Belgium boss may very well be smelling a golden alternative on Tuesday evening. Clinching one other 2-1 victory after they welcomed Scotland Lisbon final month, Portugal have gained every of their three Nations League appearances by an combination rating of 7-3. Showing to cruise their method to a semi-final ticket this 12 months, Martinez’s aspect must be relishing a visit to Hampden in midweek.
Crew Information
Choosing up a muscle harm previous to Saturday’s journey to Poland, Portugal shall be with out Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio on Tuesday evening. Shockingly not noted of Martinez’s squad over the weekend and enduring a tricky begin since arriving at Bayern Munich over the summer season, ex-Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha might as soon as once more miss out right here.
Persevering with to shatter much more data and recording a 133 worldwide purpose on Saturday evening, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo will earn a 216th cap at Hampden. Settling for a spot on the bench in Warsaw, Liverpool ace Diego Jota may very well be handed a full recall in midweek.
Key Elements to Contemplate
- When Scotland and Portugal met for his or her reverse Nations League showdown on September eighth, the Navigators collected a 2-1 victory in Lisbon.
Portugal have gained every of their first three Nations League showdowns by an combination rating of 7-3.
Scotland have collected only a single level from any of their earlier six aggressive appearances.
Likewise, the Tartan Military have registered only a sole win from any of their final 15 consecutive matchups throughout all competitions.
Together with discovering the online away at Poland over the weekend, Cristiano Ronaldo has recorded three targets in as many Nations League appearances.
Conclusion
Successful every of their first three Nations League appearances this 12 months and cruising their method to a semi-final ticket, Portugal shall be seeking to lay down one other League A marker right here. Having fun with what has grow to be an actual purple patch over the previous month and firing on all cylinders, Martinez’s camp will even be excited by their most up-to-date showdown towards a struggling Scotland. Touchdown a 2-1 win after they welcomed the Tartan Military to Lisbon for his or her reverse Nations League showdown on September eighth, we predict an identical consequence in midweek.
Verdict: Portugal win
Finest Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Luckster