Belarus vs Scotland prediction: EUROPE: World Championship – Qualification betting tips on match 2025-09-07 18:45.
[p]After the first round of World Cup qualification (WCQ) matches in Group C, Belarus are already firmly on the back foot before they host Scotland on neutral Hungarian turf. [/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Matchday one couldn’t possibly have gone much worse for Belarus, who were thumped 5-1 by Greece in what was the joint-second heaviest defeat they’ve ever suffered in WCQ. Comfortably the lowest-ranked nation in Group C, it was always likely to be an enormous ask for Belarus to qualify automatically for their first-ever major tournament. Playing all of their home games in this cycle in Zalaegerszeg nullifies any home advantage, but with their three games there since last September all ending level, we should perhaps expect a more resolute Belarus than the one on display in Greece on Friday. [/p]
[p]Scotland’s Group C opener was much more positive, as they went away to the highest-ranked side in the group, Denmark, and secured a creditable 0-0 draw. That was certainly a solid start to their quest to reach a first World Cup finals since 1998, but they’ll travel with the weight of expectation here as they come into what feels like a must-win clash as favourites. They do travel with some solid form in away WCQ games behind them, winning three of their last four such matches (D1), and with clean sheets in each of those outings, the Scots are typically dogged on their travels in this sphere. [/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]All four historical H2Hs between these two sides came in WCQ. Scotland have the slight edge (W2, D1, L1), but in the qualification cycle for the 2006 World Cup, the last time these sides met, Belarus avoided defeat in both games. [/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Belarus’ five internationals in 2025 have averaged 4.6 goals per game. [/p]
[p]Of the 13 goals Belarus have scored in 2025, 11 arrived after half-time. [/p]
[p]None of Scotland’s last five away WCQ games saw both teams score.[/p]
[p]Five of Scotland’s last six internationals were won by the away side on the day. [/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]German Barkovskiy netted his first-ever Belarus goal from the penalty spot against Greece which, like three of his last four strikes at club level, arrived after half-time. Scotland’s Lyndon Dykes netted four goals in the last WCQ cycle, three of which secured 1-0 wins. [/p]
[p]Belarus look to have come through the Greece game unscathed, while Scotland will be without defensive duo Anthony Ralston and Kieran Tierney through injury. [/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Given how poor Belarus looked against Greece, and the visitors’ need for a victory here, backing Scotland to win seems like a smart play. [/p]
[p][i]Author: Chris Wilson[/i][/p]