Scotland chalked up their first victory in Nations League Group B1 with Saturday’s 2-0 success away to North Macedonia and they will aim for another three points when hosting Slovenia at Hampden Park on Tuesday.
Sebastien Pocognoli had to wait three games for his first win as Scotland’s head coach, but his influence on the team is there for all to see.
The Belgian favours a front foot approach and his team were far too strong for North Macedonia, who were unable to register any shots on target.
While the Scots were weekend winners, Slovenia lost 2-1 away to Switzerland.
Switzerland have opened up a five-point lead, but the battle for second-place is finely balanced with Slovenia ahead of Scotland on goal difference.
Scotland v Slovenia Tips Summary
Best Bet - Scotland to win by one goal @ 5/2
Alternative Bet - Kieron Bowie to score any time @ 7/4
Bet Builder - Kieron Bowie 1+ shots on target, Lewis Ferguson to be carded and Under 4 goals @ 6/1
Scotland v Slovenia Prediction
Best Bet: Scotland to win by one goal @ 5/2
Scotland can boost their chances of Nations League promotion by defeating Slovenia by a single-goal margin.
Finishing in first place would have been Scotland’s aim at the start of the campaign, but that task has become extremely difficult as a consequence of the 3-0 loss at home to Switzerland on matchday two.
Pocognoli’s plans to stun the Swiss were reduced to tatters when Jack Hendry received an 11th-minute red card.
Hendry’s dismissal forced the Scots to carry out a damage limitation exercise against the Red Crosses, who eased to a 3-0 success.
But Scotland stayed true to Pocognoli’s style in the other matches and were left frustrated by their goalless draw away to Slovenia, having bossed the shot count (17 to four) and the xG stats (2.16 to 0.47).
Scotland were rewarded for an equally dominant performance against North Macedonia and, having registered their first goals of the new era, they will be keen to kick-on.
A tough task is in store for Slovenia, whose primary objective is to maintain second place while chalking another game off the schedule.
Slovenia gave arguably their best performance of the group during Saturday’s 2-1 loss away to Switzerland.
However, Bostjan Cesar’s side are tasked with a second difficult away game in the space of four days and they may struggle to avoid another narrow defeat.
Alternative Bet: Kieron Bowie to score any time @ 7/4
Scotland have high hopes for Kieron Bowie, who opened his international account in superb style with a stunning strike in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over North Macedonia.
Pocognoli wanted to try a few different attacking options and his first squad included Bowie, Oli McBurnie and Robbie Ure, who were all overlooked for World Cup selection.
Bowie started against Switzerland but was withdrawn after just 13 minutes as the Scots readjusted to Hendry’s early dismissal.
However, he seized his next opportunity against North Macedonia and should be in the right frame of mind to play a match-winning role on matchday four.
Scotland v Slovenia Prediction Bet Builder Tip
Kieron Bowie 1+ shots on target
Lewis Ferguson to be carded
Under 4 goals
Pays 6/1
Scotland failed to take their chances in last month’s 0-0 draw away to Slovenia but things might be different in Glasgow thanks to the increasing confidence of their new look attack.
McBurnie and Bowie have forged a promising partnership and seem to have qualities which compliment each other.
Bowie has excellent movement plus an eye for goal and he can at least force a save out of Slovenia’s high class goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Scotland might only need a single goal to achieve a victory over a Slovenian side weakened by the absence of injured striker Benjamin Sesko.
A lot of the action could be in the centre of the park and a first yellow card of the campaign could be incoming for Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson, who has committed 11 fouls across the first three fixtures.
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Key Match Stats
Scotland have kept four clean sheets in their last seven matches
All of Scotland's last seven games have featured less than four goals
Slovenia have won one of their last nine competitive fixtures
Slovenia have lost three of their last four away games
Six of Slovenia's last seven competitive matches have featured less than three goals
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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.
