Scotland-Ireland is the fifth Nations League match of the season on Saturday at 20:45.
SCOZIA – IRELAND
McGinn and a brace from Queens Park Rangers striker Dykes, who came on as a late substitute to starting centre-forward Adams, enabled Scotland to take revenge against Ukraine and top Group 1 in League B on Wednesday. It all happened in the second half of the second half at Hampden Park, in a replay of the match that last June ended the Scots’ dream of returning to the World Cup after 24 years. At the time Petrakov’s selection prevailed, despite the long inactivity of most of its players. This week, however, we witnessed a different script: once the equilibrium was broken, Ukraine were powerless to react, losing a heavy 3-0 defeat that could jeopardise their plans for promotion to League A.
Steve Clarke’s men will now have to depend on no one but themselves. All it takes is two wins – against Ireland and then in their clash with the Ukrainians next Tuesday – to go head-to-head with the continent’s big boys. The group standings currently see Scotland ahead with nine points, two more than Yarmolenko and co. For the Britons, however, it remains an excellent Nations League: their three wins in four matches fuel their regrets for not qualifying for Qatar 2022. The only defeat came against their Irish ‘cousins’, who on 11 June inflicted a harsh lesson on Scotland, who were overwhelmed 3-0 in Dublin. Unfortunately for selector Stephen Kenny, that success remained isolated: defeats to Armenia and Ukraine threaten to slide Ireland into League C. The Armenians, despite being last, are only one point behind and can still overtake on the final day of the group stage.
The Prediction
For Scotland so far a flawless run, marred only by the incredible debacle at home to rivals Ireland. The thirst for revenge is also great against them and this time Clarke’s men should be able to bring home the three points. There will be no shortage of goals, likely to be at least two in total: the Scots are currently the most prolific attackers in the group, having only failed to score in Dublin.
Scotland-Ireland line-up probables
- SCOTLAND (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Hickey, McKenna, Hendry, Tierney; McGregor, McTominay; Armstrong, McGinn, Christie; Dykes.
- IRLAND (3-5-2): Bazunu; O’Shea, Collins, Egan; Doherty, Cullen, Molumby, Knight, McClean; Hogan, Parrott.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-1
