Prediction: Scotland vs Georgia

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Smelling the chance to extend on their remarkable qualifying flurry on Tuesday night, a high-flying Scotland will welcome Georgia to Hampden.

Scotland

Starting with the hosts, mounting what was an iconic qualifying comeback away at Norway over the weekend, there is no doubt that the mood in Scotland’s camp is at a red-hot high. Eventually snatching a 2-1 victory away at Erling Haaland’s Norway, the Tartan Army are riding what has been a famous wave of momentum since getting their Group A adventure underway earlier in the year. With their sights now firmly set on securing a return to the major tournament stage, Steve Clarke’s men have remarkably won each of their first three qualifying appearances. Signing off March’s international break with a stunning performance at Hampden as they secured a 2-0 win against former world champions Spain, the one-time Kilmarnock boss will be calling on his high-flying squad to make another Group A statement here. Boasting a 100% start to their qualifying campaign, Clarke’s side will know just how crucial another victory will be on Tuesday night.

Team News

Finding the net away at Norway over the weekend, QPR striker Lyndon Dykes will once again spearhead Scotland’s attack on Tuesday night. Likewise, coming off the bench and bagging the famous last-gasp winner in Oslo a few days ago, 31-year-old Kenny McLean could be handed a full recall at Hampden.

Manchester United’s Scott McTominay will once again be partnered with Celtic’s Callum McGregor in the middle of the park. Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney will take up his usual role in the heart of Scotland’s three-man defence here.

Georgia

As for the visitors, while Scotland might have stollen most of the Group A headlines this year, Georgia are enjoying their own extended purple patch. Continuing to gain a string of plaudits from across Europe, Willy Sagnol’s men have their sights firmly set on clinching a famous return to the major tournament stage. With the mood in their camp at a red-hot high, the Crusaders also marked their return to qualifying duties over the weekend with another eye-catching performance. Claiming a lively 2-1 win away at Cyprus over the weekend, the former Bayern Munich coach has remarkably seen his side lose just one of their previous 15 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to October 2021. Hoping to spring what would be an upset at Hampden in midweek, Georgia have also gained a reputation for their success on foreign soil. In fact, Sagnol’s men have won four of their last five showdowns outside of Tbilisi.

Team News

Notching 12 Serie A strikes as Napoli were crowned Italian champions last month, attacking talisman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will certainly have a key role to play on Tuesday night. Cementing his spot as Georgia’s number one, Valencia shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili will once again start between the sticks in Glasgow.

Coming off the bench and bagging the winner away at Cyprus a few days ago, Bordeaux forward Zuriko Davitashvili will be hoping to make a full recall at Hampden.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including that stunning 2-1 victory away against Norway over the weekend, Scotland have won each of their first three Group A appearances by an aggregate score of 7-1.
• The Tartan Army have lost just one of their last eight straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to a 3-0 loss against Ireland 12 months ago.
• Likewise, Georgia have remarkably lost just one of their last 15 straight matchups across all formats.
• Including a 2-1 win away at Cyprus over the weekend, Georgia have also won four of their previous five appearances on foreign soil.
• 14 of Scotland’s last 15 appearances across all competitions have finished with over 1.5 goals.

Conclusion

Mounting that stunning last-gasp comeback in Oslo a few days ago as they snatched a 2-1 win against Norway, Scotland have only continued on a remarkable qualifying romp in 2023. Including a famous 2-0 win at home against Spain back on March 28th, the Tartan Army are riding a real wave of momentum. However, despite being tipped as a standout contender on Tuesday night, there is no doubt that Georgia will prove a stern test here. In the midst of their own extended Group A flurry and gaining a reputation for their success on foreign soil, we could be treated to an enjoyable affair in midweek. It should be noted, with Scotland seeing 14 of their last 15 appearances finish with over 1.5 goals, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet