Prediction: Spain vs Scotland

Verdict: Spain win to nil 

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

In what is a heavyweight showdown at the top of the Group A table, Spain will welcome a high-flying Scotland to Sevilla on Thursday night.

Spain

Starting with the hosts, while Spain might have come under real scrutiny earlier in the year as they opened their European Championship qualifying adventure in the midst of a real struggle, La Roja have come roaring back. Crowned Nations League champions back in June as they edged past Croatia, Luis de la Fuente’s side will mark their return on Thursday night looking to lay down a crucial marker. Last seen signing off September’s international break with a rampant 6-0 romp against Cyprus, the former world champions have also found a major clinical edge in the final third. Knowing that they can wrap up their EURO 24 ticket over the next fortnight, Spain have bagged a staggering 23 strikes in their last two Group A appearances. Likewise, it is also worth noting, in what has become an astonishing hometown flurry, La Roja have won each of their previous 29 straight qualifying showdowns in front of their own supporters.

Team News

Sustaining a knock this month, Villarreal forward Yeremy Pino has been forced to withdraw from Spain’s squad this month. The 20-year-old starlet has been replaced by Granada winger Bryan Zaragoza.

Continuing on what has been a hugely impressive start to the new campaign with Spanish heavyweights Atletico Madrid, Alvaro Morata will spearhead La Roja’s attack on Thursday night. Making the move to Premier League outfit Aston Villa this summer, Pau Torres will be hoping to earn a 24th international cap in midweek.

Scotland

As for the visitors, only continuing on what has been a history-making qualifying romp this year, Scotland are riding a stunning wave of momentum. just 90 minutes away from punching their EURO 24 ticket. Only continuing to gain a string of plaudits throughout 2023 and with the mood in their camp at a red-hot high, Steve Clarke’s have remarkably won each of their five Group A showdowns and mark their return on Thursday night holding a commanding six-point buffer over the chasing pack. Last seen in qualifying action cruising their way to a routine 3-0 romp away at Cyprus, the Tartan Army will also be excited by their most recent meeting against the former world champions. Putting in a famous performance at Hampden back on March 28th as they claimed a 2-0 victory in Glasgow, Scotland will be desperate to produce a repeat performance in Sevilla.

Team News

In what is a major blow for Scotland over the next fortnight, Scotland will be unable to call upon the duo of Kieran Tierney and Ryan Jack when they arrive in Sevilla on Thursday night.

Liverpool star Andrew Robertson will lead out the Tartan Army in midweek and earn a 67th international cap here. Although Southampton striker Che Adams might have failed to find the net in any of his previous eight straight appearances for club and country, the 27-year-old will be hoping to spearhead Clarke’s attack in Sevilla.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Spain and Scotland met for their reverse Group I showdown back on March 28th, the Tartan Army claimed a famous 2-0 victory on home soil.
• Likewise, Scotland have won each of their first five European Championship qualifying showdowns.
• Spain have won their last two Group I appearances by an aggregate score of 13-1.
• La Roja have won each of their previous 29 straight European Championship qualifying appearances on home soil – a run that stems back to June 2003.
• Six of Scotland’s past seven away fixtures across all competitions have finished with over 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

While Spain might be in the midst of a stunning Group A romp, the Tartan Army will know that they face a stern examination on Thursday night. Despite landing that famous 2-0 win when they welcomed La Roja to Hampden back in March, the former world champions do hold a remarkable qualifying record in front of their own supporters. In fact, Spain have won each of their last 29 straight qualifying showdowns on home soil and they will be desperate to claim some immediate revenge in midweek.

Verdict: Spain win to nil 

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet