Our prediction for this match:
Scotland
Match Time & Date:
26/03/2024
20:45
Prediction: 2-0
Northern Ireland
Expect an electrifying atmosphere at Hampen Park when Scotland and Northern Ireland go head to head in an eagerly-awaited international friendly. The Scotts aim to make amends for a heavy 4-0 loss to Netherlands and we are positive that they will go all guns blazing at the Green and White Army. Even though there are no fresh injury worries in Steve Clarke’s team, both Stuart Armstrong and Lewis Ferguson should be recalled to the starting XI.
Northern Ireland, on the other hand, played out a 1-1 draw with Romania in their first game of the year, but seeing that Scotland have turned Hampden Park into a real fortress, we predict that the visitors are going to return home with their hands empty. As for the away team, experienced Man Utd defender Jonny Evans has been ruled out with injury, which is yet another reason why home win should be considered.
Highlighted Player (Paddy McNair):
Following in the footsteps of his compatriot Jonny Evans, Paddy McNair joined the Manchester United academy in 2011 and he was surprisingly handed first team debut by Louis van Gaal at the start of the 2014/2015 season.
Despite his fragile age, the talented central defender has been putting in some very mature performances ever since, and everything suggests he could go on to become an important player at Old Trafford in years to come. After representing a number of youth sides, McNair made his first appearance for the Northern Ireland senior national team in a March 2015 friendly vs Scotland, before making another three outings as his side secured their place at the Euro 2016 finals.
Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill surprisingly played McNair in holding midfield in the March 2016 friendly vs Wales. After the youngster impressed in the middle of the park, O’Neill went on to suggest that the Manchester United starlet may be used in midfield rather than defence in years to come in the national team.
Highlighted Team (Scotland):
Despite being part of United Kingdom Scotland participate in football competitions as an independent country. The Scots qualified for the 1950 FIFA World Cup finals, but the SFA eventually withdrew their entry as they were not British champions. Four years later Scotland national football team participated at the showpiece tournament in Switzerland, but they were eliminated in the group stages.
Scotland booked their place at the FIFA World Cup on eight occasions, but they have not played a match at the finals of the major tournament since 1998. On the other hand, the Scotts participated at both Euro 1992 and Euro 1996, but they failed to qualify for the knockout stages at the tournaments in Sweden and England respectively. A number of Premier League stars played for the Scotland national football team in the past and Jim Baxter, Hughie Gallacher, John Greig, Jimmy Johnstone, Billy McNeill, Bobby Murdoch, Archie Gemmill and Lawrie Reilly are the footballers who made more than 50 appearances for Scotland, with Alan Hutton and Scott Brown joining the list recently.
The Scotts recorded their biggest win back in February 23, 1901, with the team rolling over Ireland 11-0. The team suffered their biggest defeat against Uruguay (0-7) in June, 1954. Gordon Strachan’s team welcome their opponents at Hampden Park.
Arsenal 
Newcastle 
Eldense 
Valencia 
Athletic Bilbao 
Barcelona
Tottenham
Liverpool
Real Madrid 
Mallorca
Sheffield United 
Cardiff 
