MY ACCOUNT
– Scotland and Spain both opened Group A with 3-0 wins
– La Roja are adapting to life under new boss Luis de la Fuente
– Recommended bet: Scotland or draw double chance
Scotland’s path to Euro 2024 looks far from straightforward but they got off to a winning start, defeating Cyprus 3-0 at Hampden Park, and will be striving to add another point or three when hosting Group A top seeds Spain.
Steve Clarke’s side are bidding for a top two finish in a tricky section which also features Norway and Georgia and they know that the Spain game on Tuesday will be just the first of a series of more demanding encounters.
Spain are also off to a flyer – winning 3-0 at home to Norway in their first game under Luis de la Fuente – although they had a disappointing World Cup, losing out to Morocco in the round of 16.
Team news
Che Adams suffered a calf injury during Scotland’s victory over Cyprus and had to withdraw from the squad.
Lawrence Shankland has been called up as a replacement but the starting centre-forward should be Lyndon Dykes, who came off the bench at the weekend.
Right-back Anthony Ralston has had to withdraw from the squad and Scott McTominay is pushing to replace Ryan Jack in midfield after his two-goal contribution as a substitute on Saturday.
Spain have not reported any further injuries since the weekend.
Previously, Pedri, Bryan Gil and Gerard Moreno had withdrawn from the squad.
The stats
Scotland are unbeaten in their last five competitive matches and are bidding to qualify for the European Championship finals for only the fourth time in their history.
They have won their last four home matches, registering clean sheets in three of them.
Spain are unbeaten in 19 European Championship qualifiers since sustaining a 2-1 loss away to Slovakia in October 2014.
However, the Iberians won just one of their four matches at the Qatar World Cup and they have failed to get past the round of 16 at four of their last five major tournaments.
Prediction
Scotland went into the Cyprus game knowing that three points were a must but they get to play the role of the underdog against Spain and they can rise to the occasion by taking at least a share of the spoils.
The best time to face Spain could be right now. The Iberians are getting used to a new manager, De la Fuente, who favours a different approach to the possession-obsessed style of his predecessor, Luis Enrique.
And they must take on the Scots without key midfielder Pedri, who has been sidelined since February with a thigh injury.
La Roja got their new era off to a winning start but their three-goal margin of success over Norway was hugely flattering.
The Norwegians created some decent chances but were unable to convert any of them and sorely missed star centre-forward Erling Haaland, who was sidelined with a groin injury.
Spain were matched by Norway for long periods and they face another stern test from the Scots, who hoovered up 13 points from five home games during their unsuccessful bid to reach last year’s World Cup.
The Scots have shown they can be tough to beat on home soil and they look decent value to add to their points tally.
Back Scotland or draw double chance at 5/4 with LiveScore Bet.
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