Ireland vs. Scotland: preview and betting tips

Saturday’s Nations League programme features an island derby between Ireland and Scotland. The visitors are the clear favourites, even though the Irish clearly dominated five years ago. What to expect and what to bet on?

Ireland opened the third edition of the Nations League with a surprising loss to the underrated Armenia, followed by a 0:1 home defeat to Ukraine. Without a point or a goal, they are last in the table.

Scotland had to swallow a 1: 3 loss to Ukraine in the World Cup play-off in Qatar to start the clash, then beat Armenia 2: 0 at home in the Nations League. But that was a poor patch on a failed qualification.

The Irish have relied on goals from Callum Robinson, the West Bromwich striker has scored eight goals and assisted nine times this season. Nathan Collins has made his mark in a Burnley jersey, the talented stopper even finding himself nominated for the Premier League’s best player for April.

Forward Che Adams is worth mentioning in the Scottish jersey, scoring eight times and assisting three times for Southampton. Andrew Robertson scored three goals and assisted a whopping fifteen for Liverpool from the left-back position.

Ireland have struggled particularly in attack, scoring more than one goal in only two of their last six games.

The Scots, on the other hand, have been scorching, scoring more than once in four of their last six games, only striking once against Poland and Ukraine. Given Ireland’s crazy form, I think the Scots will win.