Scotland travel to Spain in Euro 2024 qualifying on Thursday knowing a win or draw would secure their place at next year’s tournament in Germany.
The Tartan Army have made a perfect start to life in Group A, winning all five of their games to date. That includes a 2-0 victory over Spain back in March courtesy of a brace from Scott McTominay, Scotland’s most prolific goalscorer in qualification.
The Manchester United midfielder, fresh from a stoppage-time double against Brentford at the weekend, is the joint second-highest scorer in qualification so far with six goals – more than Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Scotland would also qualify if Norway fail to beat Cyprus in the other group stage encounter, a result that would also prove useful for second-placed Spain despite being unlikely. Luis de la Fuente’s side sit second with nine points, but have played a game fewer than all the other sides in the group. A victory against Scotland would put them within touching distance of qualification.
Spain vs Scotland H2H record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
Viaplay Sports 1, Viaplay UK |
|
United States |
fuboTV, Fubo Sports Network, ViX |
|
Canada |
DAZN |
International football rights holders around the world
|
Country |
Broadcaster |
|---|---|
|
Argentina |
Star+ |
|
Brazil |
ESPN, Star+, GUIGO, NOW NET e Claro |
|
France |
Free, L’Equipe Web, L’Equipe, Molotov |
|
Germany |
DAZN |
|
Italy |
TV8, Sky Sport Uno |
|
Spain |
fuboTV Espana, RTVE.es, TVE La 1 |
There are six changes to De La Fuente’s Spain squad from the September international break, with three players missing out through injury. The most significant of these absentees is the increasingly influential Dani Olmo who suffered a knee injury with RB Leipzig following a wonderful start to the new season.
Marco Asensio of Paris Saint-Germain and left-back Jose Gaya of Valencia are also missing through injury, while Cesar Azpilicueta, Alex Baena and Abel Ruiz have all been dropped.
The six new faces in the Spain camp include veteran Jesus Navas, Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal, Barcelona’s Ferran Torres and young winger Yeremy Pino. Oihan Sancet and Fran Garcia have also been called up and could make their debuts.
The likes of Rodri, Gavi and Alvaro Morata have all been included, but Barcelona‘s Pedri is still sidelined through injury. Spain’s youngest ever goalscorer and debutant Lamine Yamal is back in the squad, although he is a slight doubt due to injury.
Spain predicted lineup vs Scotland (4-3-3): Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Balde; Gavi, Rodri, Merino; Torres, Morata, N. Williams.
Clarke has only made a few changes to his Scotland squad, with Leeds United’s Liam Cooper, Luton Town’s Jacob Brown and Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland all making the trip to Spain and France having missed out during the September international break.
Kieran Tierney has been replaced by Celtic’s Greg Taylor after suffering an injury with Real Sociedad, while Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack and Millwall’s Kevin Nisbet will also be missing. Young Newcastle midfielder Elliot Anderson has decided against joining the squad as he weighs up whether to represent Scotland or England on the international stage.
McTominay will be aiming to continue his fine national team form, while captain Andy Robertson will also be raring to go after Liverpool’s strong start to the campaign. Other Premier League players involved include Aston Villa’s John McGinn, Everton’s Nathan Patterson and Brighton’s Billy Gilmour.
Scotland predicted lineup vs Spain (5-4-1): Gunn; Hickey, Porteous, Hendry, Cooper, Robertson; McTominay, Gilmour, McGregor, McGinn; Adams.
Despite Scotland’s resurgence under Clarke, this will prove the sternest test of their credentials in Group A. The late away victory in Norway shows they can perform on the road, but they won’t have the benefit of the Hampden Park crowd like they did against Spain in their first meeting.
Spain have also been in flying form in recent games, winning their last four matches, including the UEFA Nations League final against Croatia on penalties. They have also scored 13 goals in their last two games, beating Georgia 7-1 and Cyprus 6-0 in September.
While Scotland are a much stronger and more organised side under Clarke, their defeat against England in a friendly last time out shows they are still some way off competing with the best sides in world football on a regular basis. Spain should have too much for the travelling Tartan Army.
Prediction: Spain 2-0 Scotland
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