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Croatia v Scotland
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Kick Off: Saturday 12th October at 17:00
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Competition: UEFA Nations League
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Watch Live: Viaplay on YouTube
Scotland have endured a baptism of fire in the Nations League Group A, with Steve Clarke’s side seeking their first points when they travel to face Croatia.
The Scots were disappointingly poor in their opening match against Poland but bounced back well against Portugal away from home, coming within a whisker of getting a point.
They travel with an injury-hit squad to face an experienced Croatia team that sits on three points having lost to Portugal but beat Poland 1-0 at home.
⭐ Croatia v Scotland Best Bets
There is little doubt that Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay has been Scotland’s attacking talisman in recent months, and the price on the former Manchester United man simply having one shot on target is enormous given what he has been producing for club and country.
McTominay has scored four times in his last seven appearances for Napoli and Scotland, while he has had at least one shot on target in four of his last five starts.
The 27-year-old has had a shot on target in seven of his last 11 competitive Scotland games and has missed only one minute of those encounters.
🔍 Croatia v Scotland Players to Watch
🔴 Igor Matanovic
Eintracht Frankfurt youngster Matanovic has forced himself into the reckoning for Zlatko Dalic’s side thanks to a spectacular display in the September internationals, during which he adopted a shoot-on-sight policy.
During these games, he posted an incredible 12 shots, despite only playing 98 minutes. This works out at 10.9 shots per 90.
Matanovic has had at least three shots in 75% of his starts for club and country this season – plus he has three times managed three efforts from the bench.
🔵 Grant Hanley
Scotland’s lack of options in defence are likely to see Grant Hanley drawn into playing 90 minutes of this match, despite having been dropped to the bench for Norwich.
The 32-year-old gave away at least one foul in each of September’s international fixtures but comes into this game short of pitch time and, in all likelihood, match sharpness.
Up against international-class attackers, it would be an impressive feat if he did not give away at least one foul.
🔵 Craig Gordon
With Angus Gunn injured, Scotland are likely to call upon 41-year-old veteran Craig Gordon to keep goal in Croatia and the Hearts shot-stopper is likely to be in for a busy evening.
Croatia have managed 36 shots in their opening two Nations League games against sterner defences than Scotland, and while only 10 of these have hit the target, only a small uptick in their accuracy would see them rain shots upon Gordon.
His save percentage this season is only 52%, but it is entirely possible that Croatia muster at least seven or eight efforts on target.
📂 Croatia v Scotland Cheat Sheet
Andy’s Bet Club is the best place for football betting predictions. We offer a huge range of Nations League accumulator predictions and Nations League tips to keep you covered during this week’s international break.
We also offer both teams to score tips, plus bet builder-focused picks such as our player shots on target tips, and fouls betting predictions.
💻 Croatia v Scotland Form and Tactics
Croatia played a 4-3-3 during Euro 2024 but shifted to a 3-5-2 during the September international break and it remains to be seen if head coach Zlatko Dalic maintains that preference.
The immediate effect of this switch has been to put more onus on the strikers, with Eintracht Frankfurt forward Igor Matanovic posting an incredible 12 shots in just 98 minutes of action across the September matches. Similarly, Andrej Kramaric mustered seven shots in 112 minutes. Neither scored, but the expectation is that the volume of efforts must yield something positive eventually.
If the philosophy of this new-look team is to get the forward players into dangerous shooting areas, Luka Modric remains a key figure in making that a reality. At 39, he is not the central figure to Real Madrid he once was, but equally, this allows him to play big minutes for his national team.
Borna Sosa, meanwhile, will be a major offensive outlet at left wing-back, should the 3-5-2 be retained, which means Josko Gvardiol will be restricted when it comes to getting forward, albeit the Manchester City man did muster two shots (both on target) against Portugal from a centre back role.
Scotland can play with either four or five at the back. While the prevailing thinking is that there is most balance to the team in a back four, Steve Clarke prefers the alternative option, although his decision to shift away from this against Portugal with some success may bring a change.
As many as ten players, including certain starters Angus Gunn, John McGinn, Kieran Tierney, Aaron Hickey and Jack Hendry are all out, meaning the Scots travel with a severely depleted squad.
Scotland are a lopsided squad currently, with the left side much stronger than the right, while the scoring threat comes from Scott McTominay, with striker Lyndon Dykes involved as a chaos element. In-form Torino striker Che Adams returns after injury and could play the No. 9 role but is more a link player than a scorer.
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🏁 Croatia v Scotland Ref Watch
- Referee: Istvan Kovacs
- Kovacs has overseen 11 games this season, with 36 cards handed out at a rate of 3.27 per game.
- Yet to brandish a red card but has awarded four penalties – all in the Romanian top-flight.
- During Euro 2024, he oversaw two games, awarding an average of 23 free kicks and branding an astonishing 24 cards.
Football Predictions at Andy’s Bet Club
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We recommend the best betting sites for accumulators, top bet builder sites, and the best free bet offers and weekly free bet clubs, all to ensure you bet smarter when backing our tips with the best UK sports betting sites. Saturday’s Nations League acca tips are worth a browse as you mark your weekend card.
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* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.
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