Prediction: Greece to win 3-0
Best Odds: 12/1
Greece and Scotland will lock horns with each other in the UEFA Nations League this week. The first leg of the Group A/B Play-Off tie between Ivan Jovanovic’s side and Steve Clarke’s team will be held at Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis in Piraeus and is scheduled to kick off at 7:45pm UK time on Thursday.
Greece
Greece did well in the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B. Galanolefki ended up second in Group 2 with 15 points from six matches. Greece will deem themselves unfortunate not to win the group, especially as England finished on the same number of points but won automatic promotion to League A because of a better goal difference.
That Greece ended up as many as nine points ahead of third-placed the Republic of Ireland shows how good and strong they are. Ivan Jovanovic’s side will head into the playoff tie against Scotland as favourites, and it will be a shock if they do not win over two legs.
Scotland, though, cannot be taken for granted, especially as it is over two legs. Greece will have to be on top of their game to win against the Scots and have to make sure that they register a comfortable victory in the first leg.
Team News:
Odysseas Vlachodimos, Kostas Tzolakis, Giorgos Vagiannidis, Lazaros Rota, Kostas Tsimikas, Dimitris Giannoulis, Dimitris Pelkas, Tasos Bakasetas, Manolis Siopis, Tasos Douvikas and Vangelis Pavlidis are among the players in the Greece squad.
Scotland
Scotland finished third in the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League A Group 1 table with seven points from six matches. Steve Clarke’s side ended up a point behind second-placed Croatia and will now head into the playoff tie against Greece.
The Scots clinched their play-off place courtesy of captain Andy Robertson’s dramatic injury-time winner in Poland. They will have been disappointed that they could finish ahead of Croatia in second place, especially as there was just a point difference between the two teams in the end.
Scotland’s job in the playoff is simple. They have to win to stay in the UEFA Nations League A. If they lose, then they will be relegated to UEFA Nations League B. It is not going to be easy against a Greece side who have a very strong squad and will be determined to win promotion.
Team News:
Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly and Cieran Slicker are the three goalkeepers in the Scotland squad. Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna, Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney are among the defenders. Che Adams, James Wilson and George Hirst are among the strikers, while Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, Scott McTominay and John McGinn are among the top midfielders Scotland have at their disposal.
Key Factors to Consider
- Greece and Scotland last met each other in 1995.
- Greece scored 11 goals in 6 UEFA Nations League League A Group 2.
- Greece conceded 4 goals in 6 UEFA Nations League League A Group 2.
- Scotland scored 7 goals in 6 UEFA Nations League League B Group 1.
- Scotland conceded 8 goals in 6 UEFA Nations League League B Group 1.
Conclusion
Greece have a better team than Scotland and will head into the playoff tie in better form. Playing at home will also give Piratiko the advantage, and they should register a win against the Scots in the first leg.
Prediction: Greece to win 3-0
Best Odds: 12/1
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