Scotland vs Poland: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

This should be a close and competitive game, and we expect there to be nothing to split the pair. The last three meetings between Scotland and Poland have ended in a draw, with this trend set to continue. Both teams have scored in each of these games.

Scotland have not won in any of their last four games, whilst Poland are winless in three, with no clean sheets in either of their last four fixtures in all competitions. This fixture has seen no clean sheets in three. The hosts’ last win was a 2-0 win against Gibraltar, whilst Poland beat Turkey 2-1 – Scotland 1-1 Poland

Scotland host Poland in their opening game of their Nations League campaign, with both sides looking to put an underwhelming Euros behind them.

Date: 05/09/24

Kick-off time: 19:45

Venue: Hampden Park

Group A in the Nations League sees Poland travel to Scotland in a crucial opening game. It provides a great opportunity for either side to pick up a win ahead of further difficult games against Portugal and Croatia. Both teams finished bottom of their group at the Euros, and come into this one in poor form.

At the tournament, Scotland scored just twice in their three games, highlighting their offensive struggles. It was a similar story for Poland, though they managed to score in each of their three fixtures, albeit not more than once. Of course, Poland have a world class striker to rely on in Robert Lewandowski, and he will be confident in continuing his very strong start to the season which has seen him score four goals in four games for Barcelona.

Che Adams will not be available to Scotland manager Steve Clarke, so he will have to turn to the likes of Lawrence Shankland and Lyndon Dykes up top. Both players are still searching for their first goals of the campaign. In additions to their issues in attack, Scotland have been vulnerable defensively. They shipped five against Germany in their Euros opener, and failed to keep a clean sheet in either of their next two. In fact, they have just kept one clean sheet in their last 12, and this came in a 2-0 win against minnows Gibraltar.

However, like themselves, their opponents also have weaknesses at the back. Only once in their last seven have Poland kept a clean sheet. The visitors will have a new first choice goalkeeper in Lukas Skorupsi, who will take over the void left by the recently retired Wojciech Szczesny. Skorupsi has made just 11 appearances for his national team over 12 years, but he did get the start in their final game at the European Championships in June.

This will be the 12th meeting between the pair. It has been quite an even affair in the past with two wins for Scotland and three for Poland with six draws. The most recent came in an international friendly in 2022, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Krzystof Piatek scored a 94th minute penalty to cancel out a Kieran Tierney opener. This was the third of three consecutive draws and a fifth in sixth games. Scotland last won in 2014, whilst Poland have not been victorious since 1980.

Scotland vs Poland can be viewed on ITV 4 or online via the ITVX app.

Scotland

There are a few injuries for Steve Clarke with Che Adams, James Forrest and Greg Taylor all withdrawing from the squad. Connor Barron has been called up for the first time, as has Max Johnston.

Poland

Robert Lewandowski will captain the side as expected, with his leadership crucial following the international retirements of Kamil Grosicki and Wojciech Szczesny. Lukasz Skorupski should take over in goal. Striker Arkadiusz Milik is out injured.

Scotland:

In their last five games, Scotland have won one, drawn two and lost two. It was a thoroughly disappointing Euros campaign for Scotland as they finished bottom of their group with just a single point. Their tournament got off to a dreadful start as they were crushed 5-1 by hosts Germany in the opening game. They fell two goals behind after 20 minutes and their troubles deepened when Ryan Porteous was shown red on the stroke of half-time. Kai Havertz, Niclas Fullkrug and Emre Can added to the scoreline after.

A 1-1 draw with Switzerland gave them hope of advancing, though they squandered a lead given to them by Scott McTominay. A victory in their final game against Hungary could have sent them through to the knockout stages as one of the best third place teams, however they lost 1-0 and failed to record a shot on target. Hungary scored the winner in the 10th minute of second half stoppage time.

The first two games of this run were the final warm up games prior to the tournament. Firstly, they were 2-0 winners against minnows Gibraltar, before drawing 2-2 with Finland.

Poland:

In their last five games, Poland have won two, lost two and drawn one. Similarly to their upcoming opponents, Poland endured a poor Euros campaign, failing to make it through the groups. It was a tough group, in which they ended with just one point, though this did come in their final game against France. Kylian Mbappe put the French ahead from the spot, before Robert Lewandowski equalised with a penalty of his own.

This followed two defeats which sealed their fate. The opener was a 2-1 loss to Netherlands, in which they took the lead through Adam Buksa, but could not hold on as Cody Gakpo and Wout Weghorst turned it around. Austria beat them 3-1 in the second game, with Christoph Baumgartner and Marko Arnautovic responding to a Krzysztof Piatek equaliser.

The only victories of this stretch came in the final two friendly games before the Euros, as they beat Ukraine 3-1, before defeating Turkey 2-1.

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