Scotland vs Ireland prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League B betting tips on match 2022-09-23 18:45.
With safety in League B of the UEFA Nations League (UNL) now assured for Scotland after their impressive 3-0 victory over Ukraine on Wednesday, it’s full steam ahead in their promotion push. Scotland can still be caught by both Ukraine and the Republic of Ireland, although the Scots could wrap up top spot here should they obtain a third-successive UNL win for only the second time ever and Ukraine also fail to beat Armenia.
Should Scotland drop points, or Ukraine win in their earlier game, a final day shootout awaits in Ukraine’s temporary home of Poland. The Tartan Army will be hoping it doesn’t come to that, and you would at least bank on them to hold up their end of the bargain here considering they remain unbeaten at home in the tournament since the UNL’s inception (W6, D1).
With extra rest having not played in midweek, you would expect Ireland to be fresh coming into this potentially pivotal win or bust clash if they are to have any chance of turning their promotion dream into reality, though those chances hinge on Ukraine dropping points in the day’s early kick-off. Scotland’s win in midweek actually kept those faint hopes alive, though Ireland know whatever happens in the earlier kick-off a win is imperative to either their survival or promotion push, though realistically they look set for a third-successive League B third-placed finish.
Ireland’s UNL record certainly doesn’t inspire much confidence, with just one historical win from 14 games in UEFA’s newest competition (D6, L7). The more optimistic Ireland fans will point to the fact that sole victory came against Scotland (3-0) and with three wins from the last five H2Hs (D1, L1), perhaps Ireland’s promotion bid isn’t dead just yet.
Players to watch: Scotland’s Lyndon Dykes scored a double of headers as a substitute against Ukraine in midweek and has now scored the game’s last goal in his last two UNL scoring appearances. Similarly, Michael Obafemi has scored his side’s last goal of the game in his last five club goalscoring appearances, as he did in the last H2H.
Hot stat: Ten of Ireland’s last 13 UNL games have seen one or no goals.