For our Scotland vs Spain prediction, we are predicting an away win.
Scotland's aspirations of qualifying face a difficult task on Tuesday as they host two-time Champions Spain at Hampden Park. Spain are touted as one of the favourites to win the competition outright in 2024, with bookmakers offering 7/1.
Scotland assured their future under Steve Clarke during the week. Clarke penned a new deal which would see him remain until 2026. The former West Bromwich Albion manager has overseen a recent revival in Scottish Football on the international stage.
Despite missing out on the World Cup in Qatar, Scotland reached the delayed Euro 2020 Championships, which they famously achieved a draw with England. They were eliminated thanks to the defeats against Croatia and the Czech Republic. Scotland did enjoy promotion to the Group A phase of the UEFA Nations League.
The home side enjoyed a fine start to their European Qualification against Cyprus. Scott McTominay was on hand for a brace after John McGinn opened the scoring for the Scots in a 3-0 win. McTominay, who currently remains at Manchester United, is under much speculation, with a move to Newcastle United potentially in the offering.
Scotland will be brimming with confidence based on their recent form. Steve Clarke's side enters this game on the back of four wins in their last five in all competitions. The most notable result in that run saw them dismantle Armenia away from home. A brace from Stuart Armstrong was pivotal in their 4-1 success.
The hosts will be hoping to repeat the successes of the previous qualification campaign. The Scots have only reached three European Championships in their history, failing to reach the knockout stages on all three occasions.
As for the away side, they are somewhat under a new cultural revolution with their squad. Following the departure of Luis Enrique after the World Cup, Spain is now under the regime of Luis de la Fuente. The 61-year-old was primarily the under 23's manager for the national team before taking over the helm for the men's side in December.
De la Fuente's record of success was when the Spaniard was in charge of Spain's under-21's side for four years. The under-21's won their fifth European Championship in 2019, and the Spanish Football Association are looking to replicate that success when the European Championships occur in 2024.
Spain couldn't have asked for a better start under De la Fuente as they achieved a dominating victory over a Norway side without Erling Haaland. Goals from Dani Olmo and a brace from Newcastle United striker Joselu ensured a debut victory for the new national team manager. The 32-year-old Joselu had to wait for his long-awaited debut, and he certainly took the opportunity in fine fashion.
The away side enters this game in slightly worse form than their opponents. The victory over Norway ended a three-game run in all competitions where they failed to win. Their last defeat was in the round of 16 against Morocco in the World Cup where they lost on penalties.
Spain, along with Germany, is the most successful side in the European Championships. Spain has won the competition on no less than three occasions and achieved successive tournament wins in 2008 and 2012 in a golden era for the national side.