Scotland v Poland betting tips: Poles could take it easy at Hampden
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Scotland have turned to Poland for Thursday’s friendly after their World Cup play-off against Ukraine was rescheduled for June following Russia’s invasion of their neighbours.
Poland were due to face Russia in the semi-final but their opponents were thrown out of the tournament so they have been given a free ride to the final where they will meet either Sweden or Czech Republic on Tuesday.
The Scots are the 7/5 favourites and the visitors are 21/10 as we look at some of the talking points surrounding the game in our Scotland v Poland betting tips.
Scotland v Poland form
Steve Clarke’s side had an excellent World Cup qualifying campaign, winning seven of their 10 games and losing just once, a 2-0 defeat in Denmark. although they avenged that loss by the same scoreline in their final group game.
Scotland also qualified for a first major tournament in 23 years when they competed at Euro 2020 last year, but finished bottom of the group with just one point from a goalless draw with England, yet the overall feeling is that Scotland have made giant strides under Clarke.
They won their last six qualifiers and kept clean sheets in five of them, so we go 13/5 on the hosts winning to nil or 15/8 to win with under 3.5 match goals which was the case in all but one of those matches.
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— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 22, 2022
With the Poles likely to be preserving their energy for next week, the latter looks the way to go in our Scotland v Poland betting tips.
Poland finished a distant second to England in World Cup qualifying which meant they had to take the play-off route and had a miserable Euro 2020 tournament, picking up just one point from a group comprising Spain, Sweden and Slovakia.
Their last competitive match was a 2-1 home defeat by Hungary in their final group game, although star striker Robert Lewandowski was rested.
Scotland v Poland head to head
The teams last met in qualifying for Euro 2016, with both matches ending in 2-2 draws.
In the second game at Hampden Park, Lewandowski scored with the last kick of the game to end the Scots’ hopes of making it to the finals in France.
A draw on Thursday is available at 2/1, it’s 13/4 on a share of the spoils and goals at both ends and another 2-2 outcome can be backed at 14/1 in our Scotland v Poland betting tips.
Scotland games are not usually known for being high-scoring affairs, so 1-1 looks more plausible at 19/4.
Poland have scored in their last 16 games and so we go 19/20 on goals at both ends or 11/2 on the visitors to win and concede.
Key Battles
With Scotland not playing their semi-final until June, Clarke has the chance to look at some new faces for the double header during the international break, with either Wales or Austria in line next week.
Craig Halkett and Ross Stewart have been called up for the first time, and St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark has replaced QPR’s David Marshall, who has withdrawn along with Nottingham Forest defender Scott McKenna with hamstring injuries.
With Clarke’s defensive options limited, Scott McTominay could play at the back so he will be severely tested by Lewandowski should head coach Czesław Michniewicz decide to select the Bayern Munich striker.
Scotland v Poland team news
John Souttar and Liam Cooper are both absent for Scotland, so McTominay may be back on defensive duties for Scotland.
Che Adams started and scored against Denmark last time out and could retain his place up front in a 3-4-2-1 formation supported by Ryan Christie and John McGinn, with Billy Gilmour and Callum McGregor in deeper roles.
With Robertson potentially out, Bologna left-back Aaron Hickey could get some game time.
Mateusz Klich has been ruled out of the Poland squad, along with Torino midfielder Karol Linetty.
Karol Swiderski scored Poland’s equaliser against Hungary last time out, but he may have to give way to Lewandowski, who should get at least 45 minutes ahead of next week’s crucial qualifier.
Goalscorer Odds
It’s always worth checking the team sheet an hour before kick-off when considering the first goalscorer market, but as things stand Lewandowski is the favourite at 14/5 to break the deadlock and 6/4 to find the net.
Arkadiusz Milik has been in superb form since joining Marseille on loan from Napoli, scoring 10 times in his last 10 appearances in all competitions, and is 7/1 and 16/5 in the two markets in our Scotland v Poland betting tips.
🙌 @CheAdams_ pic.twitter.com/cCmlt35SKE
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 22, 2022
Krzysztof Piatek is also having a purple patch at Fiorentina and he can be backed at 13/2 and 14/5.
For Scotland, Adams is the 4/1 favourite to bag the opener and 15/8 to score, while McGinn and Christie are 13/2 and 14/5 in the two options.
Match info
Where: Hampden Park
When: 19:45, Thursday 24th March
How to watch: Sky Sports
View the latest World Cup qualifying odds
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
