Prediction: Norway vs Scotland

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to spring another qualifying upset on Saturday evening, Scotland will travel to Oslo this weekend when they meet Norway.

Norway

Starting with the hosts, missing out on the chance to punch their World Cup ticket last year, Norway find themselves in the midst of what has been an extended wobble. Although Stale Solbakken’s men might have opened their qualifying campaign with their sights firmly set on clinching a return to the major tournament stage, the Lions have now mustered just a single win from any of their last six appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to a 3-2 win against Sweden 12 months ago. Opening theirGroup A adventure with a 3-0 drumming at the hands of Spain on March 25th, Norway have certainly shown some rather glaring issues at the back. Last seen having to settle for what was a downbeat 1-1 draw away at Georgia, it should be highlighted that Solbakken’s side have failed to pick up a sole clean sheet from their last seven outings.

Team News

Notching 36 Premier League strikes last season and breaking a string of records, Manchester City sensation Erling Haaland will spearhead Norway’s charge on Saturday evening. Likewise, Arsenal skipper Maryin Odegaard will also feature this weekend.

However, despite picking up a minor knock last month and missing both of Feyenoord’s final two domestic appearances, defender Marcus Pedersen has been given the green light to feature here.

Scotland

As for the visitors, last seen putting in what was a famous display at Hampden as they clinched a 2-0 victory against former world champions Spain on March 28th, Scotland have certainly opened their qualifying adventure with a major statement. Along with getting their Group A campaign off to a flying start with a 3-0 romp against Cyprus, Steve Clark’s men will travel out to Oslo riding a recent wave of momentum. Despite signing off 2022 with a 2-1 friendly defeat at the hands of Turkey, that is the only loss that the Tartan Army have suffered from their previous seven appearances across all competitions. With that purple patch stemming all the way back to their 3-0 loss against British rivals Ireland 12 months ago, Scotland should also be excited by their new-found defensive resolve. It is worth highlighting, Scotland have recorded a clean sheet in each of their last three competitive outings.

Team News

Scotland will travel to Oslo on Saturday evening without the injured quartet of Craig Gordon, Che Adams, Grant Hanley and Anthony Ralston. The Tartan Army are also sweating over the fitness of Rangers defender John Souttar this weekend.

Manchester United’s Scott McTominay will start at the heart of Clarke’s midfield here and should be partnered with Callum McGregor. QPR striker Lyndon Dykes should lead Clarke’s attack in Oslo.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met in Oslo for a friendly showdown back in November 2010, Scotland picked up a 1-0 victory on foreign soil.
• Including a stunning 2-0 victory against Spain last time out, Scotland have picked up back-to-back Group A wins.
• Likewise, the Tartan Army have recorded a clean sheet in each of their previous three competitive appearances.
• Norway have managed to muster just a single win from their last six appearances across all competitions.
• Saturday’s hosts have also failed to record a clean sheet from any of their previous seven matchups.

Conclusion

Signing off March’s international break with a stunning 2-0 victory at home against former world champions Spain, Scotland will travel out to Oslo desperate to spring another heavyweight Group A upset. Mustering back-to-back wins since getting their qualifying adventure underway, the Tartan Army have only continued to shine on either side of the winter World Cup. With Norway mustering just a single win from any of their last six appearances across all formats, Saturday’s hosts have also gained a reputation for their extended struggles at the back. It should be highlighted, with the Lions seeing three of their previous four outings, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Olympusbet