Georgia vs Scotland Prediction and Preview – 04/09/2015

Euro 2016 Qualification preview – Georgia vs Scotland prediction

With a current ranking of 154th in the world, Georgia are not expected to qualify, and they are all but mathematically out of the running. This doesn’t mean that they won’t put up a fight against Scotland however. Zurab Khizanishvili played in Scotland for Dundee and Rangers and will therefore be familiar with some of the players and fans. They have used a 5 back formation against the likes of Poland and Germany but may use a 4 at the back versus Scotland.

Despite being three points off the top in their group, Scotland are ahead of leaders Poland in the world rankings after some good form. Stuart Armstrong and Christophe Berra sustained recent injuries and have withdrawn from the squad, whereas captain Scott Brown will be fit to face Georgia, as well as Ikechi Anya and Russel Martin. Scotland will be mindful of getting complacent against a passionate Georgian side.

Possible Line-ups

Georgia: 4-2-3-1 formation: Loria; Grigalava, Kverkvelia, Khubutia, Lobzhanidze; Kankava, Daushvili; Kobakhidze, Ananidze, Okriashvili; Qazaishvili

Scotland: 4-4-2 formation: Marshall; Robertson, Martin, Mulgrew, Hutton; Anya, Maloney, Brown, Ritchie; Naismith, Fletcher

Statistics

• Georgia have won 3, drawn 0 and lost 7 of their last 10 matches
• Scotland have won 5, drawn 3 and lost 2 of their last 10 matches
• Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Georgia have scored an average of 0.9 goals and conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game
• Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Scotland have scored an average of 1.7 goals and conceded an average of 1.1 goals per game
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Georgia’s previous 10 matches
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Scotland’s previous 10 matches
• Scotland beat Georgia 1-0 in October last year in the first qualifying match between the teams. Georgia beat Scotland when they last hosted them in 2007

Prediction

Without a win in six competitive games and only three points in qualifying so far, Georgia will not be confident going into this game. They will have to rely on home advantage if they are to get a result. They’re playing for pride at this point, and with nothing to lose they could trouble Scotland.

Scotland will be confident that they can get a win and press Germany who are in 2nd in the group, and only two points ahead. Spirits will be high travelling to Georgia as a team in good form, and relatively injury free. They will have to be wary of their defensive stability now that Berra has picked up a knock.

A Scotland win seems the only viable outcome. Coupled with the fact that Georgia average more goals conceded than scored, an upset seems unlikely.

We say: Scotland to win by 2 goals at 9/2 with Bet365

What are your predictions?