Scotland v Georgia

Scotland host Georgia at Hampden on Tuesday aiming to maintain what has been a remarkable start to their Euro 2024 Group A campaign.

Having played two of their three toughest matches on paper, Steve Clarke’s side have a maximum nine points, with Saturday’s 2-1 win over Norway epitomising the spirit in the squad. Far from their best for long periods, the Scots stole the win thanks to two goals in three minutes at the end of the match.

Indeed, the landscape of the group has shifted such that Georgia might actually prove to be Scotland’s biggest rivals next to top seeds Spain. The visitors to Glasgow have only played two matches but have picked up four points and would come firmly into the picture if they were to cause an upset.

No one in the home camp will be treating this match lightly. The Scotland v Georgia stats in the past show two wins each from four fixtures, with the Scots’ wins coming by a single goal on each occasion. Indeed, it was a defeat in Georgia that cost Scotland in their famous Euro 2008 campaign, when they beat France twice and yet still missed out on qualification for that tournament. 

With the hosts buoyant but no doubt wary, here are the best Scotland v Georgia bet builder tips for Tuesday’s big game.

Scotland in a dream position

After sneaking to Euro 2020 via the backdoor of the Nations League playoffs, Scotland find themselves in dream position to reach Germany and will be within touching distance of the finals if they can win this encounter.

Clarke’s side were opportunistic at the weekend as they pounced on a Norway defensive error to grab an equaliser in Oslo that left the hosts rocking and set the stage for Kenny McLean’s tidy winner a matter of seconds later. 

In their home matches against Cyprus and Spain, they have been altogether more convincing and have set a standard they will seek to replicate against Georgia.

Scott McTominay has been an unlikely scoring hero in these games, scoring four goals, and given the way Georgia defended set pieces against Cyprus at the weekend, the Manchester United man is good value as a long shot anytime scorer on a Scotland bet builder.

Indeed, since the deflating loss to Ukraine last June cost the Scots a shot at a place in the World Cup finals, Clarke’s side have won all five home matches. These victories have been convincing. All but one has come by more than a single goal – worth considering when making any Scotland v Georgia prediction.

The squad is clearly filled with confidence and surely cannot wait for kick off.

Scotland team news

Clarke does not like to change his team, but for a Scotland bet builder, consider the effects of Saturday’s physically and mentally draining game. Tweaks may be made, particularly in midfield, where Billy Gilmour and Kenny McLean impressed after coming on.

Angus Gunn seems certain to retain his spot in goal, after he maintained his 100% win record between the sticks for Scotland last time out.

No update has been given on Kieran Tierney, who went off with an issue in Oslo and could be replaced by Liam Cooper if he is not fit.

Che Adams is the other big miss for Scotland. Lyndon Dykes worked hard in Norway and will surely need some kind of respite, so Lawrence Shankland or Kevin Nisbet are liable to get some minutes.

Underestimate Georgia at your peril

Georgia will be feeling quietly confident travelling to Glasgow after a positive start to their qualifying campaign. 

Like Scotland, they left it late to win against Cyprus on Saturday, with substitute Zuriko Davitashvili coming off the bench to score a lovely winner. Sagnol’s side, though, rode their luck. Cyprus twice struck the bar while the match was balanced at 1-1.

Indeed, they are undefeated in competitive action since October 2021, which is a run of 10 games. This includes a victory over Sweden and a draw at home against Norway to kick off their Euro 2024 qualifiers. When making your Scotland bet builder, their form must be respected.

Saturday’s trip to Cyprus underlined how important Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is to them. Playing off the left, everything offensively was funnelled through him, and though his shooting was often wayward, it’s clear that he will be heavily involved in their play. The Napoli star hitting two or more shots is worth considering for a Georgia bet builder.

But there is more to Georgia than the man nicknamed ‘Kvaradona’. In goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and No.9 Georges Mikautadze they have two players coveted by Premier League clubs this summer. Keep an eye, too, on Gent’s Giorgi Chakvetadze, who has seven goals in 16 internationals.

What’s more, there are five who will be linking up with the U21 team for the European Championship after this match.

Georgia are a nation going places.

Georgia team news

The visiting side look to have a strong squad to pick from at Hampden, which is important to consider for your Scotland v Georgia bet builder.

Georgia did, however, pick up one injury problem in Cyprus, with Luka Lochoshvili sustaining a late issue. The severity of the issue is unknown and it is unclear if the Cremonese centre-back will be fit to play. Lasha Dvali will replace him if he cannot play.

Zuriko Davitashvili may be recalled after getting the winner off the bench at the weekend. He was expected to start that match.

Scotland v Georgia Cheat Sheet

The Georgian players who make the most fouls are central midfield pairing Georges Chekvetadze and Nika Kvekveskiri. Both will be up against Scotland's John McGinn, who drifts into more central areas from his starting left midfield spot.

McGinn draws over two fouls a game, whilst Chekvetadze and Kvekveskiri, who will both be patrolling the spaces the Villa midfielder loves to attack, commit more than two fouls per 90 respectively. Both look to be good options for a foul or card selection in any Scotland v Georgia bet builder.

Georgian striker Midkautadze and winger-turned-striker Kvaratshkelia dominate the team's shots, even in games that the other side dominates, for example against Norway in this campaign, both had 5 shots. Shot on target or even shots selections involving this pairing could be a nice avenue to explore when looking for some value.

Scotland v Georgia bet builder tips

* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets *

* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing *