Scotland's qualification for Euro 2024 was confirmed last month, but there are two games left on the Scots' Group A schedule, starting with a trip to Tbilisi to take on fourth-placed Georgia.
Steve Clarke’s team will be looking for a positive result in their final away game of the section, while Georgia are targeting maximum points as they strive to maintain hopes of a top-three finish.
Georgia or draw double chance @ 4/6
It is probably just as well that Scotland have clinched qualification for Euro 2024, because they approach the final round of matches without several key players.
Andy Robertson has undergone surgery on a shoulder injury sustained during Scotland’s 2-0 loss away to Spain, while fellow influential defenders Aaron Hickey and Kieran Tierney are also among the injured contingent.
Manager Steve Clarke will consider his options, including a potential change of formation, but his team are unlikely to be as cohesive as they have been for the vast majority of the campaign.
It would seem to be a decent time to take on the Scots and Georgia are approaching the game in high spirits after last month’s 4-0 success at home to Cyprus.
The Georgians are out of the running for a top-two finish, but they are guaranteed a place in next year’s play-offs as a consequence of winning five of six matches in their 2022 Nations League campaign.
Head coach Willy Sagnol will want his team to finish off the year in the best possible way and he has been able to select a strong, experienced squad with very few injury concerns.
Sagnol’s team suffered a 7-1 loss at home to Spain in September, but they have competed well in their other Group A assignments and can avoid defeat against the depleted Scots.
Georges Mikautadze to score any time @ 12/5
Georgian striker Georges Mikautadze has not lived up to expectations since making a big-money summer move from Metz to Ajax, but he can give a glimpse of his ability by scoring in his nation’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Scotland.
Mikautadze moved to Ajax for a reported 16 million Euros but has failed to score in his first six appearances.
However, he has fared well on the international stage, scoring nine goals in 20 appearances.
The 23-year-old was on target in last month’s 4-0 success at home to Cyprus and has every chance of making an impact against a below strength Scotland defence.
Ryan Porteous to be carded @ 11/4
Watford’s Ryan Porteous has emerged as one of Scotland’s most reliable central defenders over the last 12 months, but he picks up plenty of yellow cards and looks a tempting target to be cautioned in Tbilisi.
Porteous won the first of eight Scotland caps in September last year and has quickly established himself as a key member of the team.
The 24-year-old loves a tackle and has been carded twice during Scotland’s Euro 2024 campaign.
He has been booked six times in 13 Championship appearances for Watford this season and it would be no major surprise if his name were to enter referee Aleksandar Stavrev’s notebook.
The hosts will be without 18-year-old Basel midfielder Gabriel Sigua, who has had to withdraw from the squad with an injury. FC Copenhagen defender Davit Khochalava (knee) is also unavailable.
Clarke is short in defence due to the absences of Robertson, Hickey and Tierney, while striker Che Adams (groin) was also forced to pull out of the squad.
Georgia have avoided defeat in nine of their last ten home games.
Georges Mikautadze has scored in his last two appearances for Georgia.
Ryan Porteous has been booked in five of his last eight competitive matches.
Georgia wins | 2 |
Draws | 0 |
Scotland wins | 3 |
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
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