SM
Man City vs. West Ham: 14 hrs 31 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
SN
World Cup Qualifying - Europe | Group Stage
Mar 25, 2021 at 7.45pm UK
Hampden Park
AN

Scotland
2 - 2
Austria

Hanley (71'), McGinn (85')
Hanley (14'), Christie (24'), Dykes (49'), O'Donnell (82')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Kalajdzic (55', 80')
Kalajdzic (62'), Grillitsch (70'), Ilsanker (90+1')

A look at the main talking points ahead of Scotland's home game with Austria

:Headline: A look at the main talking points ahead of Scotland's home game with Austria: ID:440564: from db_amp
Steve Clarke's side are looking to build on their Euro 2020 qualification when they run out at Hampden on Thursday.

Scotland host Austria in their opening World Cup qualifying game on Thursday.

Steve Clarke's side are looking to build on their Euro 2020 qualification when they run out at Hampden.

Here the PA news agency looks at the major talking points ahead of the game.

Scott free?

Scott McTominay has been in goalscoring form (Michael Regan/PA)

Clarke has admitted being tempted to move Scott McTominay into his natural midfield role after deploying him in the back three during the autumn. The 24-year-old has scored six goals for Manchester United in the past four months. An injury to Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack plus the return of centre-backs Grant Hanley and Jack Hendry gives Clarke scope to push McTominay further forward.

Forward march

With Scotland only scoring three times in the past 10-and-a-half hours of action, Clarke has introduced Southampton forward Che Adams and Hibernian striker Kevin Nisbet to his squad. Lyndon Dykes is the man in possession of the number nine jersey and he ended a four-month goal drought by netting for QPR at the weekend. But there could well be at least one debut as the game progresses.

Who will draw first blood?

The last time Scotland qualified for the World Cup, they opened their campaign with a goalless draw in Austria before beating their opponents 2-0 at Celtic Park. Both teams qualified for the 1998 finals but have never made it since, partly because doing so has become more difficult in Europe. Only the top team is guaranteed entry to Qatar 2022 and the opening game already looks a crucial one for both teams as Denmark are the top seeds.

amp_article__440564 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-03-24 19:43:38:
html db last update - 2021-03-24 19:43:38 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Read more!
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal19116238172139
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford197393335-224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276
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.



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