Scotland vs Gibraltar prediction: WORLD: Friendly International betting tips on match 2024-06-02 16:00.
[p]With Victoria Park undergoing a facelift back home, the Gibraltar national team will take to the field at the Estádio Algarve in Portugal, a venue they formerly occupied between 2013 and 2017. It seems fitting that a stadium built specifically for the 2004 UEFA European Championships will host a clash with 2024 competitors Scotland, although Gibraltar themselves have never featured at a major tournament since being recognised by Europe’s governing body in 2013.[/p]
[p]That’s hardly a surprise, given that the minnows had only registered one win prior to 2018, and have racked up just seven more victories since then in what is a dismal overall FIFA-recognised record (W8, D9, L69). It’s difficult to make a case for any improvement here either after 12 straight defeats, a run which includes Gibraltar’s heaviest-ever loss (14-0 vs France) and 48 unanswered goals ahead of this friendly. [/p]
[p]Looking to pile on further misery for the hosts are Scotland, who are preparing for their second straight European Championship finals under Steve Clarke after finishing bottom of their group in the previous edition. Improving on that may be a tall order however, as the Tartan Army will face hosts Germany, Switzerland, and Hungary in a tough-looking group, although a confidence-boosting trip to face FIFA’s 203rd-ranked side can’t do any harm.[/p]
[p]Scotland’s have a woeful record of one victory in their last 13 friendly encounters (W1, D3, L9), but they have scored 12 times across their two H2H wins over Gibraltar, meaning that the likes of Lawrence Shankland and James Forrest, among others included in the preliminary squad, will see this match as an ideal opportunity to impress as they look to force their way into Clarke’s final roster for Euro 2024. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Lee Casciaro scored Gibraltar’s only goal against Scotland, although all three of the 42-year-old’s international strikes perhaps unsurprisingly have come in defeats. As for the visitors, Ché Adams seems guaranteed to be in the final squad after helping Southampton to promotion with 20 Championship goal contributions this season (G16, A4), but just one of his five Scotland strikes have come in friendly encounters. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Four of Scotland’s last five outings have seen at least one goal scored in both halves and over 3.5 total goals. [/p]