- Date: Thursday October 12 – 19.45 BST
- Location: Estadio La Cartuja, Sevilla, Spain
- Teams: Spain vs Scotland
Check out the best UEFA Euro betting sites before making your picks.
Key match in Group A as Scots look to maintain 100% record
Spain
After a disappointing World Cup, Spain have bounced back under new manager Luis de la Fuente, with their only defeat coming against Scotland at Hampden. After securing the UEFA Nations League, Spain then made light work of both Georgia and Cyprus in their latest two qualifiers. After being out-fought and ultimately outplayed against the Scots in March, de la Fuente’s side will be only too aware of Scotland’s strengths and will be looking to get revenge in Sevilla.
Spain have a number of exciting young players coming through, including Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who became Spain’s youngest ever player and goalscorer against Georgia. His Barcelona teammates Gavi and Pedri are two more young talents to look out for, though Pedri will miss the Scotland match through injury. Other influential players include Rodri of Manchester City, and Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata who is beginning to find his touch in front of goal.
As well as Pedri, De la Fuente is missing some key names from his squad. Yeremy Pino, Jose Gaya, Dani Olmo and Marco Asensio both miss out while teenage sensation Yamal faces a late fitness test. Granada’s Bryan Zaragoza has received his first senior international call-up as a replacement for Pino, while Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Ansu Fati has returned to the squad.
Scotland
Since his appointment in May 2019, Steve Clarke has made a positive impact on the Scotland team. He has players of genuine class with the likes of Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Scott McTominay and John McGinn and has developed a committed squad. The teams Clarke has turned out have always been well organised and the Scots look capable of causing most sides problems.The team failed to qualify automatically for UEFA Euro 2020, but consecutive victories in penalty shootouts in the playoffs against Israel and Serbia put Scotland into their first major tournament since 1998. Defeats by the Czech Republic and Croatia, either side of a goalless draw with England,[85] meant that Scotland finished bottom of Group D.
Six consecutive wins later that year meant that Scotland finished second in Group F of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification. This meant a play-off, with the Scots being drawn against Ukraine. A 3-1 defeat meant that Clarke’s side did not make the trip to Qatar. 2022 however, ended on a positive note with Scotland winning their Nations League group and gaining promotion to League A.
The Euro 2024 qualifying campaign got off to a dream start, with five wins from five, the highlight being the win over Spain at Hampden where the visitors simply could not live with Scotland’s intensity. During the last round of international fixtures Scotland strolled to a 3-0 win over Cyprus before suffering a home defeat to England in the 150th anniversary match.
Scotland will be without Ryan Jack and Tierney due to injury. Millwall’s Kevin Nisbet (hamstring) is also out. Newcastle United’s Elliot Anderson misses out, amid claims that he is yet to decide whether he wishes to represent Scotland or England at international level.
Spain vs. Scotland possible line-ups
Spain (4-3-3): Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Balde; Merino, Gavi, Rodri; Torres, Morata, Williams
Scotland (3-4-3): Gunn; Porteous, Hendry, McKenna; Hickey, Gilmour, McGregor, Robertson; McTominay, Adams, McGinn
Prediction
Scotland have been in great form and thoroughly deserved to beat Spain at Hampden in their last meeting. However, a trip to Sevilla, where Spain will be backed by a passionate crowd, is a tough assignment. Scotland are in a fantastic position to not just qualify, but to win the group, however, Spain will have too much for them here. Home win.
Spain have scored goals for fun in the last two European Championship qualifiers: 7-1 away to Georgia followed by 6-0 at home to Cyprus. Over 2.5 goals for Spain against Scotland is 5/4 with bet365 .
Unibet are currently offering 7/25 for a Spain win with Scotland at 9/1 and a draw at 9/2.
Check the best bookmakers for football and UEFA Euro 2024 at Betting.com.
