Our prediction for this Nations League match:
Scotland
Match Time & Date:
15/11/2024
20:45
Prediction: 1-1
Croatia
Hampden Park will be packed when Scotland and Croatia lock horns in an eagerly-awaited Nations League game. The Scotts are now on an eight-game winless run, but they produced a fine performance in a goalless draw with star-studded Portugal. The good news for the hosts is that all John McGinn, Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna, and Tommy Conway return from injuries.
The Croats, on the other hand, are hit by Dominik Livakovic’s suspension. The Fenerbahce goalkeeper was sent off in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Poland in October, with Augsburg shot-stopper Nediljko Labrovic likely to step up. In-form Osasuna attacker Ante Budimir is pushing for a start as well. Real Madrid veteran Luka Modric made the cut as well as fellow midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who has been playing an important role at Man City ever since Golden Ball award winner Rodri suffered a long-term injury. Anyhow, a close encounter is on the cards in Glasgow as Scotland are tough to beat at home.
Highlighted Player (Luka Modric):
Luka Modric is regarded as one of the best central midfielders in world football. The Croatian ace is a product of Dinamo Zagreb’s youth school and it has to be noted that he played 94 league games for the Modri between 2003 and 2008. In 2008 he signed a six-year deal with Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £16.5 million.
Luka made his Tottenham debut on 16 August, 2008 in a 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium. The Croatian star scored only 13 goals in 127 league appearances for the Spurs, but he is well known for his brilliant passing. In 2012 he signed for Real Madrid for a fee of £30 million and he made his debut against Barcelona in the 2012 Spanish Super Cup, return leg.
Modric quickly established himself as a first-team regular and, no doubt, he helped the capital club win two Champions League trophies (2013/2014, 2015/2016). You should bear in mind that he was named Croatian Footballer of the Year in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2014.
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.
Man City 
Everton
Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 
Chelsea 
Fulham
Newcastle 
Aston Villa 
Nottingham Forest 
Tottenham
Southampton 
West Ham 
