Scotland take a slim 1-0 lead into the second leg of their Nations League A playoff against Greece on Sunday, with Scott McTominay’s first-half penalty proving to be decisive in Piraeus on Thursday evening.
The Scots soaked up considerable pressure in the second half so the tie is far from dead. However, they will be confident of finishing the job at Hampden Park.
SCOTLAND VS GREECE PREVIEW
The result does not tell the whole story as Scotland put in an exceptional defensive display. Both Grant Hanley and John Souttar were imperious in the centre, with goalkeeper Craig Gordon only forced into making one save. The Scottish backline made 32 clearances throughout the match.
The Greeks were somewhat profligate, having 24 shots on goal, and they may not be as wasteful again in the return leg at Hampden. They can also count themselves unlucky, having a penalty award overturned as well as a goal disallowed.
Scotland now only need to draw to retain their place in Group A, while Greece have to secure a win. The Greeks are dangerous though, having finished level on points with England in Group B2.
The Scots now have the edge in head-to-head encounters too. They have played each other three times, with Scotland winning twice and Greece once.
SCOTLAND VS GREECE PREDICTIONS
Scotland Win
Scotland are at home and will be determined to finish the job in front of their raucous support. They are now unbeaten in four internationals and have won three in a row. They’ll be looking to score early, like they did in Greece, to put the tie to bed.
Draw
It is dangerous for Scotland to play for the draw, but a draw will be enough for them. The teams were quite evenly matched in Pireaus while there has only ever been one goal between the two sides in previous encounters.
Scotland have kept three clean sheets in their last four games and should they add to this run, it will be enough.
Greece Win
Greece need to secure victory against Scotland and have nothing to lose. This makes them dangerous. They won all three away games in the Nations League group stage. These included 2-0 successes against Ireland and Finland. That result will be enough here (the other result was a 2-1 win in England).
SCOTLAND VS GREECE – BETTING TIPS
Scotland Win
Despite hanging on somewhat in the first leg, Scotland will be buoyed by their performance. They are on a decent run and have home advantage too. They’ll want to score early to calm jittery nerves. If they come out as strongly as they did in the first half in Greece, they have every chance of doing this.
Greece to Score At Least Two Goals
Greece scored two goals in each of their three away games in the Nations League. This included 2-0 successes in Ireland and Finland, and a 2-1 victory in England. They certainly had enough chances against Scotland in the first leg to suggest they could score at Hampden.
Scotland to Win and BTTS
All of this suggests that Scotland to win and both teams to score is the value here. Scotland were held to a 0-0 draw against Portugal in the Nations League – no shame in that – but they scored at least once in their other two home games. They want a goal, Greece need a goal, which suggests goals at both end.
SCOTLAND VS GREECE – HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
There have been three games between the two sides, with Scotland winning twice and Greece once.
Scotland are unbeaten in four Nations League games and have won their last three.
Scotland have kept three clean sheets in their last four games.
Scotland scored eight goals and conceded eight in their seven Nations League matches.
Greece scored 11 goals and conceded just five in their seven Nations League matches.
Greece had 24 shots in the first leg against Scotland, their highest total in a single match during this Nations League campaign.
Scotland last faced more than 24 shots and kept a clean sheet against France in September 2007. The French fired 27 shots but the Scots held on for a 1-0 win.
