Euro 2024: Now Comes a Big Test for Scotland

Scotland vs Spain

The Tartan Army is set to roar again on Tuesday when Scotland vs Spain in the Euro 2024 qualifier is the entertainment on offer at Hampden Park. But La Roja will present their hosts with a bigger challenge than their opener. 

Scotland started their campaign with a 3-0 win at home to minnows Cyprus while Spain won 3-0 at home to Norway. The famous old Glasgow ground will be bouncing again in the hope of a home win. But Spain, ranked seventh in the world by FIFA, are a totally different prospect to 105^th-ranked Cyprus.

I’d say if you offered the Scots (ranked 39^th) a draw right now… they’d bite your hand off.

Talking Points

Scotland’s strength in defence 

Skipper Andrew Robertson is one of the most talented leaders in world football, and his calm authority off the pitch and dynamic example on it has lifted Scotland to heights they couldn’t have imagined a decade ago. He’s had a few injury niggles this season and Liverpool’s campaign has stuttered in his absence, but Robertson is back to full fitness and is a talismanic figure in Scotland’s defence.   

If the fullback is Scotland’s best player his wingback partner Kieran Tierney can lay claim to be the second best, though he too has suffered with injury. Scotland’s defence needs to be at its most robust against the free-flowing Spaniards and big centre-back Grant Hanley will make his mark when and where he can.

Head coach Steve Clarke has said he wants to look further forward than Germany 2024 and he wants his nation to become regular qualifiers at the major tournaments so they can’t rely purely on their defensive prowess, and they do have a creative spark. One player the boss can rely on to feature in the Euro 2024 highlights is Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn. The flying Scot scored the opener in his team’s victory over Cyprus before Scott McTominay bagged a late double.

McGinn has been directly involved in 22 goals while playing for Steve Clarke, 16 goals and six assists, while strike Lyndon Dykes is second with ten.

Spain know which player to watch.   

Winning start for de la Fuente 

Head coach Luis de la Fuente took over La Roja in the aftermath of Luis Enrique’s resignation, after Spain lost to Morocco at the Qatar World Cup Round of 16. He has a very strong squad at his disposal and La Fuente won his opener impressively, and the Euro 2024 betting odds reckon he should make it two from two.

Barcelona’s Gavi and Manchester City’s Rodri are both key players in the midfield battle.

Gavi has been a key player in Barcelona’s excellent La Liga season and he has maturity beyond his years, while Rodri is a world-class defensive midfielder who will keep close to danger man McGinn.

Skippered by Atletico Madrid star Alvaro Morata, who has scored 30 goals in 61 appearances, Spain will play much of the game on the front foot and there may be another start for former Newcastle United striker Joselu, who bagged a brace against Norway while Dani Olmo was also on the score sheet.  

History

Scotland have made it to the European finals on three occasions, including 2020, but are yet to make it through the group stages and that is something Clarke wants to rectify, but first his team needs to make it to Germany in 2024. In sharp contrast, Spain have won the competition on three of their 11 appearances including two on the bounce in 2008 and 2012.

Scotland are yet to beat Spain in their four meetings to date, losing three and drawing one but the two teams haven’t met in over a decade. And while their recent form has been good, with four wins, one draw and one defeat, I fear the hosts will come unstuck against Spain who are unbeaten in seven games on the road, winning their last three.   

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP odds say this is an away win at odds of 1.55, while Scotland are at 5.03 to win and the draw is 3.54. 

The double chance, Scotland or Draw is priced at 2.18 and the hosts will certainly give it a go but they are about to come up against one of Europe’s best teams which will be one of the favourites in Germany.  The way they swept aside a decent Norway team, I’m tempted to back a Roja win, and for a correct score-line 0-2 is available at 5.99.

 

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