Tuesday 20th November 1945hrs Scotland v Israel Football – International – UEFA Nations League When UEFA developed the idea for this tournament they would have envisaged games such as this one being the draw for people to buy into the UEFA Nations League. It’s essentially a one game shootout that will see the winners secure a playoff berth at least for Euro 2020 as well as promotion to League B which would have been the aim for both of these teams when their section was drawn. It’s been a group of ups and downs for both at times but they can finish on the ultimate high, literally, by getting the win at Hampden. Continue reading for a match preview of Scotland versus Israel and a best bet selected.
Everything that could have wrong for Scotland in the build up to Saturday’s game with Albania virtually did and it was a horrible preparation for Alex McLeish who was faced with a series of call offs right up until the day of the game, as well as suggestions of a dressing room right between him and the players. It would have made the 4-0 win all that sweeter and he can now look forward to this hugely important home match with Israel. It was a much more assured and impressive performance from the Scots who looked more energized and threatening from the outset with pace in the attacking areas. The Celtic contingent of Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie and James Forrest were at the heart of everything good about the performance and Forrest capped a man of the match performance off by scoring his first two international goals. It’s further indication of how futile it was by McLeish to drop the winger from the first games in this group which was a contributing factor to why McLeish found himself under pressure and for all intents and purposes, he will be again if they fail to win on Tuesday.
Israel would have been hoping that Albania would be able to do them a favour by getting a result against Scotland on Saturday that would have seen them in a strong position to finish top of Group 1 in League C but as it is, they must now finish the job off by getting at least a draw in Glasgow on Tuesday. Going by their last couple of performances in this competition then it’s certainly within their grasp having won 2-1 at home to Scotland and then seeing off Albania 2-0 next time out. Their only away game thus far in the group was a 1-0 defeat in Albania and it’s their form on the road that seems to be their undoing. Israel have lost eight of their last 12 away games and although they only need one point from their encounter with Scotland, it’s hardly a record that will inspire confidence. They did have the perfect game to warm up for this one, however, winning 7-0 at home to Guatemala on Friday. It was their biggest win since 2009 and means they have won three games in a row for the first time in two years.
Scotland v Israel Betting Tip
We’ve seen some excellent contents in the first ever staging of the UEFA Nations League with a lot riding on the final games and it has undoubtedly justified the governing body’s decision to replace meaningless friendly games with some competitive action. Scotland or Israel’s experience will be enhanced further depending on what happens in Glasgow on Tuesday. Scotland need to win the game to finish top whilst a point would be sufficient for Israel courtesy of them winning the first meeting between the two last month. In some ways it’s arguably a help for Scotland that they know nothing other than three points will do.
The final score may have been 2-1 but Israel were much the better side when these two countries clashed a little over a month ago. The Scottish performance that night drew a raft of criticism for McLeish and he knows that he remains under pressure to follow up Friday’s win over Albania with a victory that sees them finish top, earn promotion and perhaps more crucially, that Euro 2020 playoff spot. It will no doubt be the same starting line up that takes the field tomorrow and the makeshift defence will in all likelihood be tested much more severely against the impressive Munas Dabour who notched twice on Friday. It could well be a game that swings a number of ways throughout the 90 minutes and I’m backing both teams to score.
Selection: Both teams to score 11/10 @ William Hill
