Scotland Vs Czech Republic
Scotland Vs Czech Republic Monday, 14th June 2021 – 14:00
UEFA EURO 2020, Group D
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: PaddyPower
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 12th June 2021)
Preview: The second match in Group D sees the renewal of a modern rivalry, with Scotland playing host to the Czech Republic for what will be the pair’s third competitive meeting since the start of 2020. The Scots prevailed on both said occasions, and will be confident of a third in front of the Hampden Park faithful.
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Table of Contents
Scotland – Tartan Army keen to make home advantage count?
Excitement at the prospect of competing at a first major tournament this century, and first European Championship since 1996, is palpable. However, there can be no escaping how fortunate they are to be here – the first team to ever qualify after losing as many as five matches during the initial qualifying stage. Instead, Steve Clarke’s men needed penalties to overcome Israel and Serbia in the Nations League play-offs.
The untidy manner in which they booked their place means expectations are naturally low, even if enthusiasm among those of a Tartan Army persuasion remains healthy. If they are to progress beyond the group, which is a feat they have never before managed across all ten previous EURO’s/World Cup finals participations, a strong start in front of a raucous Hampden Park would seem imperative.
Three straight victories over the Czech Republic coming into this Group C opener certainly bodes well. Although their form since qualifying has been altogether less encouraging. Scotland have won only twice in their past seven matches, against Faroe Islands and Luxembourg no less, though would secure a confidence boosting 2-2 draw away in the Netherlands in the build up to the tournament.
Czech Republic – Silhavy’s men should be entertaining?
Only France and Germany are enjoying a longer run of consecutive European Championship appearances than the Czech Republic, who are competing at their tenth finals overall but seventh on the trot. They have not progressed beyond the group stage in four of the previous six tournaments. Winning none of their three matches at the 2016 edition, collecting a single point to finish bottom of the group.
A more bold showing is forecast on this occasion, though, after Jaroslav Silhavy’s side qualified via the more conventional method. With five wins from eight qualifiers, the Czech Republic finished six points behind England, who claimed top spot despite a 2-1 defeat in Prague. A further seven wins have followed since securing a spot at the finals. However their year so far has been mixed to say the least.
A creditable draw with Belgium in the second of three 2022 World Cup qualifiers in March had built on their memorable 6-2 thumping of Estonia, before a 1-0 loss away to Wales. The warm up games saw them beaten resoundingly by the Italians before squeezing past Albania. The recurring theme, meanwhile, being goals with seven of thirteen matches since qualifying producing three or more.
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Scotland Vs Czech Republic Betting Advice
A 1-0 win here at Hampden Park in October last year saw Scotland make it three wins in as many clashes with Czech Republic, who were also beaten at home in 2020 and 2016. On all three occasions, the Scots emerged victorious by a single goal. That would imply there is very little to choose between them, which is also how the FIFA rankings sees them with Scotland ranked four places worse off in 44th.
Scotland Vs Czech Republic – Key Facts:
- Following their 1-0 Nations League victory in October 2020, Scotland are unbeaten against the Czech Republic in four matches, recording wins in each of the last three.
- Scotland are yet to lose in 2021 (W2 D3), averaging two goals per game across their five matches so far.
- Czech Republic have endured a mixed year to date (W2 D1 L2), with an impressive 1-1 draw with Belgium offset by loses to Wales and Italy.
Scotland were often found wanting in attack during qualifying but have shown signs of improvement in the final third lately. In 2021 The Tartan Army are averaging two goals per game, in which they remain unbeaten in five despite facing Austria and Netherlands (both games ended 2-2). The Czechs, meanwhile, have conceded in 11 of 13 matches since qualifying, with seven of these both teams find the net.
Goals at both ends appears likely then.
Best Betting Odds – Scotland Vs Czech Republic
Scotland – 15/8 (Betway)
Draw – 2/1 (BetVictor)
Czech Republic – 9/5 (Betfair)
