Scotland vs Greece predictions: Lack of goals to make it tense
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- Scotland's 1-0 win in Greece contained only three shots on target
- Steve Clarke's side have conceded just once in last four Nations League games
- Recommended bet: Under 1.5 goals
Scotland’s 1-0 win away in Greece on Thursday has them in a commanding position to retain their Nations League A status, with a draw all that is required for Steve Clarke's men to complete the job at Hampden Park.
The Tartan Army picked up seven points from their final three fixtures in Nations League Group A1, drawing with Portugal before wins over Croatia and Poland, to set up a play-off tie against Greece, who had finished level with England on 15 points at the head of Group B2.
Scott McTominay's first-half penalty in Piraeus has Scotland in the ascendancy, although they will be well aware that they cannot take their feet off the gas given that Greece won 2-1 against England at Wembley in October.
Team news
Midfielder Ryan Christie was suspended for the first leg but should return for this fixture, however goalkeeper Angus Gunn, striker Lyndon Dykes and winger Ben Doak remain sidelined.
Lewis Ferguson, Kieran Tierney and Kevin Nisbet were back in the squad for this tie, but manager Steve Clarke may opt to name an unchanged side from the 1-0 win in the first leg.
Greece must again manage without captain Tasos Bakasetas, who is missing through injury, but midfielder Christos Zafeiris returned from suspension in the opening leg.
One change the visitors may opt for is in attack, with Vangelis Pavlidis potentially in line to replace Fotis Ioannidis.
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The stats
Scotland are unbeaten in four Nations League matches, having won the last three by a solitary goal.
Both teams have scored in only one of Scotland’s last four matches, with them keeping three clean sheets in that period.
Only two of Scotland’s last 19 Nations League matches have gone over 3.5 goals.
Greece are chasing a fifth straight away success, while both teams have scored in only four of their last 21 matches.
Prediction
Greece won the shot count 24-8 in their 1-0 defeat at home on Thursday, but only one of those efforts was on target and Scotland may be confident of again defending resolutely to claim the positive result they crave.
Scotland had only two efforts on target themselves and needed a McTominay spot-kick to record victory, so there is every reason to believe this second leg could follow a similar pattern.
Greece have time on their side, so do not need to take too many unduly early risks and they tend to be embroiled in low-scoring affairs, with six of their last 10 internationals featuring two goals or fewer.
However, Scotland performed well in a red-hot Nations League group and kept clean sheets at home to both Portugal and Croatia, so should be confident that their organisation and resoluteness can help them stand firm.
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