Scotland v Croatia: Match Preview, Tips & Odds
3 minutes As we look ahead to this key Group A1 fixture, here at betting.bet you can find exclusive betting tips along with the latest team news, form and betting odds.
Scotland hope to maintain their slim hopes of avoiding UEFA Nations League relegation on Friday as they host Croatia at Hampden Park in a must-win game for the hosts. As we look ahead to this key Group A1 fixture, here at betting.bet you can find exclusive betting tips along with the latest team news, form and betting odds from our partners at BoyleSports.
Form
Scotland are rooted to the bottom of their Nations League group with just one point from their first four matches. The Tartan Army are now winless in eight internationals and their only win in the past sixteen came against minnows Gibraltar in a friendly back in June. They will take plenty of encouragement from their draw at home to group leaders Portugal last time out.
Croatia remain on course for a play-off spot with seven points from their four Nations League matches so far enough to put them second in the group behind leaders Portugal. Two wins from their last two matches could be enough to see them top Group A1 but keeping ahead of third place Poland is their main objective over the next two matches.
Scotland v Croatia: Head-to-Head
The reverse fixture in Zagreb last month finished 2-1 in Croatia’s favour thanks to goals from Igor Matanovic and Andrej Kramaric. Ryan Christie had initially given Scotland the lead but they were ahead for only three minutes.
Last month’s win was a second successive win for Croatia against Stolen to level up the head-to-head record between the nations with two wins apiece. Three of the previous seven matches between Scotland and Croatia have ended all-square.
Betting Tips
Relegation looks highly likely but Scotland will want to give themselves a fighting chance ahead of Monday’s showdown away at fellow group strugglers Poland. In front of a full house at Hampden Park, we’re confident that the hosts will get something out of Friday’s fixture. Scotland are great value at 21/10 whilst the Scotland/Draw double chance is certainly the wiser option at 4/6.
The eight Group A1 games played so far have produced a combined total of 25 goals and we’re expecting more of the same this weekend. Over 2.5 match goals looks a solid bet at 5/6 at Hampden Park whilst both teams to score is equally as appealing at 4/6.
Scott McTominay has earned plenty of plaudits following a superb start to life at Napoli in Serie A and he could play a pivotal role once more on Friday. As the only member of the Scotland squad in double-figures for international goals, McTominay would be a safe bet in the various goalscorer markets on Friday. McTominay has often proved the match winner for Scotland and the 27-year-old has scored twice in four Nations League games already. BoyleSports are offering odds of 7/2 for McTominay to score at any time however there could be better value in backing the Napoli midfielder to score first. Scotland have taken the lead in two of their last three Nations League games whilst Croatia have conceded first in three of their four group matches so far. McTominay is 9/1 to score first.
No Croatia player has scored more than one goal in the Nations League so far but there are plenty of goals in this vastly experienced Croatian squad. Luca Modric, Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric have a combined 90 international goals between them and out of the trio, Kramaric is certainly the one enjoying the most prolific domestic form this season. Kramaric has hit double-figures in seven of his eight Bundesliga seasons at Hoffenheim and has started the new campaign with five goals in nine matches. We’re backing Kramaric to score on Friday and at 15/8 to score at any time and this is our bet of the day.
Match Odds
| Scotland | Draw | Croatia |
|---|---|---|
| 21/10 | 23/10 | 11/10 |
