Scotland v Croatia: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Promotion to Nations League A has not gone to plan for Scotland as they sit bottom of their group after taking just one point from their opening four games. 

Things do not get much easier for the Tartan Army either as they welcome a competitive Croatia to Hampden Park on Friday, with an exciting clash anticipated. 

Croatia are second in the group, just three points behind Portugal, and are understandably favourites for this fixture. 

However, Scotland drew 0-0 with the Portuguese in their last outing and the form of some of their players will give their fans hope on Thursday, when there may not be too much between the sides. 

Scotland v Croatia betting tips and predictions

Both teams to score - Yes - 8/11

The nature of the Nations League means these sides met just last month. Croatia ran out 2-1 victors that day thanks to a 70th-minute winner from Andrej Kramaric, but Scotland put in a decent performance in Zagreb and will be looking to build on that back on their own patch. 

The Scots' subsequent 0-0 draw with Portugal will have boosted their confidence further - that result snapped a four-game losing streak - and they could play their part in an exciting game on Friday. 

Scotland’s home form is strong, with Steve Clarke’s men losing just three of their last 13 matches at Hampden Park, and it was less than two years ago that they beat the European champions, Spain 2-0 on home soil.

While their Nations League campaign has not gone to plan, and relegation back to League B seems imminent, they have proven they have goals in them, netting four in four, and they could trouble Croatia. 

Friday’s visitors conceded three times in a draw to a usually goal-shy Poland in their last outing and clean sheets have been hard for the Croats to come by of late, managing just one in their last eight matches. 

To make matters worse, first-choice goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic is suspended having received a straight red card against Poland and with Ben Doak, Scott McTominay and Ryan Christie in decent form, the Tartan Army should have enough to net on Friday. 

The hosts are unlikely to keep a clean sheet, though, given their shutout versus Portugal was their first in eight games so both teams to score, a bet which landed in each of the pair’s last two head-to-heads, looks the way to go. 

Scott McTominay anytime goalscorer - 7/2

Eyebrows were raised when Napoli moved to sign Scott McTominay - and his international team-mate Billy Gilmour - in the summer, but the Italian side have already been vindicated in their decision, as the midfielder has impressed in Italy.

McTominay netted the opener against Italian champions Inter Milan on Sunday and his aerial presence and box-crashing ability is causing plenty of issues for defences in Serie A, with the former Manchester United man racking up 17 shots this term. 

He has also been a hero on the international stage in recent times, being the only Scot to net at Euro 2024 - an unsurprising fact given he scored a sensational seven goals in eight qualifiers ahead of that tournament. 

Given Croatia’s recent lack of clean sheets and the confidence flowing through McTominay’s veins following his excellent start in Naples, the Tartan Army’s talismanic midfielder looks a good bet to find the net in Glasgow.

Ben Doak to be booked - 13/2

Scotland youngster Doak joins up with his international colleagues following a brilliant brace of assists against Luton on Saturday as he helped Middlesbrough romp to a 5-1 victory - form that should see him keep his place in Clarke’s starting XI on Friday. 

On loan from Liverpool, the winger has enjoyed a decent season in the Championship and, while he has caught the eye going forwards with one goal and three assists, it is his defensive displays which look the most relevant from a betting perspective. 

Doak has four yellows in the league this season - at an average of one every 171 minutes - and is committing an average of one foul per match, making the 13/2 about him to be booked on Friday look a huge price. 

With that in mind, plus the fact Croatia still boast plenty of talent, even if a lot of their squad are in the twilight of their career, it could pay to back the youngster, who will be eager to impress on the international stage, to receive a card.

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Scotland v Croatia odds

Scotland - 12/5
Draw - 12/5
Croatia - 23/20

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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.