Scotland vs Portugal: Match Preview & Predictions
Scotland vs Portugal: Match Preview & Predictions. Steve Clarke and his Scotland side would be hoping to bounce back from their defeat to Croatia in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday and will be aiming for redemption when they host Portugal in Glasgow on Tuesday.
However, Scotland could genuinely claim to be unlucky with the fixtures and their inability to catch a break was summed up when they thought they had equalised in injury time, only for Che Adams to be called offside.
Portugal remain top of the group after easing to a 3-1 win in Poland and they are clearly a class act when on form.
No doubt, both nations met just a few weeks ago in Lisbon and Scotland looked like they might spring a shock after taking the lead, but it was Cristiano Ronaldo who came off the bench, to claim a late winner for his Portugal side.
Here’s how we preview the upcoming clash between Scotland and Portugal.
What time does Scotland vs Portugal kick-off?
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Stadium: Hampden Park, Glasgow
Date: Sunday 15 October
Kick-off Time: 19:45 BST
Referee: Lawrence Visser (BEL)
VAR: Bram Van Driessche (BEL)
Scotland team news;
There are four uncapped players in Scotland’s squad for the October fixtures, with Jon McCracken, Nicky Devlin, Liam Lindsay and Andy Irving hoping for their debuts. Zander Clark, Scott McKenna, Josh Doig, Max Johnston, John McGinn, Connor Barron and Tommy Conway have all dropped out from the September squad.
But there are returns for Greg Taylor, James Forrest and Che Adams after injury ruled them out last month.
Scotland predicted lineup vs Portugal;
Scotland (4-2-3-1): Gordon, Ralston, Souttar, Hanley, Robertson, Gilmour, McLean, Doak, McTominay, Christie, Adams.
Portugal team news;
Goncalo Ramos remains sidelined for Paris Saint-Germain and wasn’t called up for the Portugal squad. Portugal are without Sporting Lisbon pair Geovany Quenda and Pedro Goncalves.
Renato Veiga made his national team debut last time out vs Poland, and would be aiming to keep his place in Portugal’s backline, when they visit Hampden Park to take on Scotland.
Portugal predicted lineup vs Scotland;
Portugal (4-3-3): Costa, Dalot, Dias, Renato Veiga, Mendes, B Silva, Ruben Neves, Fernandes, Neto, Ronaldo, Leao
Scotland vs Portugal score prediction;
Scotland knew going up against Portugal, Croatia and Poland in Group A1 in the Nations League would be a tough test for their international credentials and so far they have been found wanting, despite some spirited displays.
With three defeats out of three leaves Clarke’s men staring at relegation back down to Group B.
There have been some positives to cling to during that run as Clarke’s side have at least been competitive in the majority of their matches, scoring in all three games, with only late goals denying them of draws against Poland and Portugal in their first two Nations League outings.
They took the lead on Saturday against Croatia, too, but were on the end of another narrow defeat as the hosts came from behind to seal the win, and take all three points.
Scotland were again denied a point after some late drama when VAR ruled Kristijan Jakic‘s own goal out for offside against Che Adams and they will be confident of causing Portugal some problems when they meet at Hampden.
However, Portugal on the other hand are in fine form and have won all three games in the group and should make it four from four.
Prediction: Scotland 1-3 Portugal
