SM
Southampton vs. Liverpool: 7 hrs 9 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
SN
Euro Champ Qualifying | Playoff Final Route C
Nov 12, 2020 at 7.45pm UK
Stadion Rajko Mitić
SN

Serbia
1 - 1
Scotland

Scotland win 5-4 on penalties
Jovic (90')
Milenkovic (11'), Gudelj (49')
FT
(aet)
Christie (52')
Gallagher (44')

Preview: Serbia vs. Scotland - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Serbia vs. Scotland - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Thursday's Euro 2020 qualifying playoff clash between Serbia and Scotland, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Scotland face one of the biggest matches in their entire history on Thursday as they take on Serbia in a Euro 2020 playoff final.

Steve Clarke's men battled past Israel on penalties in the semis, while Serbia saw off Norway in extra time to set up this winner-takes-all clash in Belgrade.


Match preview

Not since 1998 have Scotland qualified for a major tournament, the subsequent 22 years providing supporters with very little to get excited about.

Thanks to the altered European Championships format, teams now have the chance to qualify via the backdoor and Scotland are looking to grasp that opportunity with both hands.

A turgid affair with Israel at Hampden Park finished goalless after 120 minutes, but Clarke's men held their nerve in the shootout to advance 5-3 on spot kicks.

Scotland have hit form at the perfect time, with that one of seven victories in an eight-match unbeaten run spanning back to October 2019.

Not since September 1976, when going nine without defeat under Willie Ormond, have the Tartan Army enjoyed a better run.

They have kept three successive clean sheets, too, and doing likewise on Thursday evening may well prove key to their hopes of qualifying for the rescheduled Euro 2020 finals.

Serbia are unbeaten in their two previous encounters with Scotland, drawing 0-0 and winning 2-0 during qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

Unlike Scotland, though, Serbia do not exactly enter this contest in the best of form. They have won only one of their last six in all competitions - that victory over Norway.

Never before have the Eagles reached the European Championship finals as an independent nation, meaning the chance to create some history this week.

Both sides may have a couple of Nations League fixtures to come during this international window, but it is fair to say that this is the only match that truly matters.

Serbia form (all competitions): DLDWLD

Scotland form (all competitions): WDWWWW


Team News

Scotland will be without Ryan Fraser and Grant Hanley for their trip to Belgrade after both players pulled out of the squad with injuries.

Fraser's absence could mean Ryan Christie partnering striker Lyndon Dykes, who has scored twice in five appearances at international level.

Kieran Tierney is available for Clarke's men once again and will likely join Scott McKenna and Scott McTominay in a back three.

Midfielder John McGinn is also raring to go as he looks to build on a return of six goals and one assist in four European Championship qualifying appearances.

As for Serbia, they are awaiting the green light from officials for their Serie A contingent to play a part due to coronavirus restrictions.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who scored twice against Norway in the last round, has linked up with his teammates and should therefore be free to start.

Fellow attacker Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored 10 goals in Euro qualifying - behind only Harry Kane (12), Cristiano Ronaldo and Eran Zahavi (11 each).

Milos Veljkovic and Filip Djuricic will definitely play no part, however, with the latter testing positive for coronavirus.

Serbia possible starting lineup:
Dmitrovic; Milenkovic, Pavlovic, Kolarov; Lazovic, Maksimovic, Gudelj, Ristic; Tadic, Milinkovic-Savic; Mitrovic

Scotland possible starting lineup:
Marshall; McTominay, McKenna, Tierney; O'Donnell, McGinn, Jack, McGregor, Robertson; Christie, Dykes


We say: Serbia 2-1 Scotland

Scotland enter this game in better form than Serbia yet are still considered the underdogs as they seek to reach their first tournament finals in 23 years.

The hosts have plenty of firepower in their ranks, not least in the shape of Mitrovic and Milinkovic-Savic, and we can see that making all the difference on Thursday.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__421777 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-06-05 12:47:09:
html db last update - 2024-06-05 12:47:09 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Scotland without Ryan Fraser and Grant Hanley for Serbia playoff final
"He is right" - Amorim reacts to Rashford's bombshell claim on Man United future
Diallo, Isak and who else? Sports Mole's Premier League Team of the Week
Euro 2024 run it back: England learn World Cup qualifying opponents!
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Rodri, Akanji latest: Man City injury, suspension list for Villa contest

1

RA

January arrival? Man United 'on verge' of securing wonderkid deal

2

JA

Preview: Luton vs. Derby - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PL

Help for Hojlund: Rashford, Zirkzee exits 'could open door' for Man United to land striker

4

HF

How to watch the NBA 2024-25 season in the UK: What channel is it on?

5

HT

Will Diogo Jota make the XI? Arne Slot "surprises" expected against Southampton

6

WD

Wednesday's La Liga predictions including Villarreal vs. Rayo Vallecano

7

WL

Perez's Red Bull exit confirmed by multiple outlets

8

PR

'Crazy operation': Arsenal plot 'super exchange' to sign Vlahovic in January

9

'O

Wednesday's Transfer Talk Update: Rodri, Osimhen, Zirkzee

10

WT


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .