Big Match Breakdown: Scotland v Belgium
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Odds and info ahead of International friendly
The UEFA Nations League may be getting underway this week, but there’s still room for the odd classic friendly interspersed in the schedule.
Scotland host Belgium at Hampden Park tonight, in what will be a tough test for the Tartan Army ahead of their Nations League opener against Albania.
The Red Devils come into the game as World Cup semi-finalists and the Coral News Team detail this intriguing clash with a Big Match Breakdown.
Head-to-head
Scotland have only won four of the 17 matches between the two sides, the most recent win coming in October 1987.
Ally McCoist and Paul McStay bagged the goals, current Scotland boss Alex McLeish was also in the side that day.
The pair last met in 2013 in Glasgow with Steven Defour and Kevin Mirallas humbling the Scots in a 2-0 win.
Likely XIs
Tom Cairney, Matt Phillips, Oli McBurnie and Jack Hendry have all withdrawn through injury for Scotland.
Scottish Premiership pair Ryan Jack and Steven Naismith and West Ham United’s Robert Snodgrass all drafted in.
New skipper Andy Robertson may get the nod ahead Keiran Tierney at left-back.
With Kevin de Bruyne and Adnan Januzaj both absent, there may be a new look to Roberto Martinez’s men for this one.
The Belgian Pro League quartet of Timothy Castagne, Hans Vanaken, Birger Verstraete and Leandro Trossard could feature tonight.
Key Battles
The two teams haven’t changed dramatically since their last meeting. The returning Naismith will be in a buoyant mood, fresh from his hat-trick for Hearts last weekend.
The former Everton man will have to be marshalled well by the back three of Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Dedryck Boyata.
If Eden Hazard and Dries Mertens play from the off then Scotland could be in for a long night.
Martinez could also elect for Thorgan Hazard or Yannick Carrasco in a more advanced position.
Match Odds
Scotland are 15/2 to win the game. The draw is 13/4, with Belgium to grab the victory is at 4/11.
The last three games have finished 2-0 to Belgium. It’s 5/1 to happen again.
McLeish’s men have only notched one goal in his second spell in charge. He will hope this stat is put to bed soon and Scotland are 29/10 to score first.
Naismith will hope to consolidate his place in the squad, following McBurnie’s injury.
The Hearts man is 3/1 to notch anytime. Leigh Griffiths might get the nod instead and is 11/4 to score anytime.
Romelu Lukaku is 14/5 to bag first for Belgium. Michy Batshuayi could feature and is 13/10 to score anytime.
Click here for more Scotland v Belgium odds
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
