Slovakia vs Scotland Prediction, Betting Tips and Preview
Scotland travel to face Slovakia in World Cup qualifying Group F this Tuesday. Read the match predictions to find out why Scotland are the betting tip to get three points in Trnava.
Slovakia vs Scotland Preview
Slovakia are yet to get off the mark and sit fifth by virtue of goal difference after 1-0 losses at home to England and away at Slovenia. Scotland left it late to salvage a point at home to Lithuania but are second in the table on four points.
Ján Kozák will be glad to have skipper Martin Škrtel back after suspension and he’ll slot in at the back as a direct replacement for Tomáš Hubočan who has a ban. Marek Hamšík is the danger man for the hosts and is likely to be fielded in an advanced role once more, possibly alongside Róbert Mak.
Scotland are likely to set up in a similar fashion, with James Forrest perhaps earning himself a start after impressing as a substitute last time out. That could mean Oliver Burke dropping to the bench while Darren Fletcher could also be replaced by goal-scorer James McArthur. Leigh Griffiths came on for Matt Ritchie but the Celtic striker is set to be used as an impact sub once again.
Team Predictions Slovakia vs Scotland
Slovakia 5-3-2 formation: Kozáčik; Škrtel, Saláta, Ďurica, Pauschek, Švento; Hrošovský, Kucka, Greguš; Mak, Hamšík
Scotland 4-2-3-1 formation: Marshall; Robertson, Hanley, Martin, Paterson; McArthur, Bannan; Ritchie, Snodgrass, Forrest; Martin
Slovakia vs Scotland Betting Tips
- Slovakia have won 3 drawn 3 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
- Scotland have won 4 drawn 2 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Slovakia have scored an average of 1.1 goals and conceded an average of 1.2 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Scotland have scored an average of 1.8 goals and conceded an average of 1.2 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Slovakia’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Scotland’s previous 10 matches
(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Slovakia vs Scotland Prediction
Slovakia were easy meat for Germany in Euro 2016 and bowed out after a humbling 3-0 defeat. They made life difficult for England and were unlucky to concede in injury time to lose 0-1 in the first match of this qualifying section. They offered little going forward in that match and it was more of the same in the defeat away to Slovenia.
After doing well against Italy, Scotland were outclassed in a 3-0 friendly defeat to France. They got the qualifying process underway with an easy 1-5 victory away to Malta but did not find things so easy against a well-organised Lithuania side last time out.
Slovakia’s lack of a cutting edge has been telling in recent matches and the fact that they’re toothless in attack gives the visitors a real chance. The hosts have failed to find the net in their last 4 matches and come up against a pretty good Scottish defence.
This has the makings of a cagey affair with little to separate the sides on ability. Both coaches will be trying to outmaneuver one another and I can’t see there being many goals. If Scotland can keep Marek Hamsik quiet, then I can see them edging this to claim what could be a vital win.
Free Betting Tips
Match Prediction
Scotland to win at 27/10 with 888Sport
Over/Under Prediction
Under 2.5 goals at 8/15 with bet365
Correct Score Prediction
Scotland to win 1-0 at 8/1 with 888Sport
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