Serbia to extend Scotland's Euros absence
Amidst all of the UEFA Nations League action this week, there are some slightly overlooked single-leg play-offs to qualify for the delayed Euro 2020(1) tournament next summer. One such clash pits Serbia against Scotland at the Rajko Mitić Stadium in Belgrade. COVID-19 continues to have profound impacts on football, even impinging the hosts' matchday squad at the time of writing. Meanwhile, the visitors have certainly improved under Steve Clarke since his appointment one and a half years ago, but will it be enough to fulfil the dream of being on the big stage after being absent for an entire generation? Read our preview here:
The Italian Job
Many of the first names in the XI for Оrlovi ply their trade in Italy's top division, Serie A. Normally, that wouldn't be particularly noteworthy, but the recently reintroduced lockdown measures have played havoc with head coach Ljubiša Tumbaković's preparations for the winner-takes-all contest. Aleksandr Kolarov is in situ, and should be able to start; despite his advancing years, his importance to the side is undiminished, and his set pieces will be key in a game likely to be attritional in nature (there will be no fewer than 11 midfielders on the pitch). The triumvirate at the opposite end of the team should all be in situ, crucially. Sergej Milinković-Savić's roaming could force the three-man Scotland defence out of their rigid shape to combat his movement and aggression on the ball. Dušan Tadić has been on fire for Ajax this campaign, hitting six in eight matches. His ability to go beyond target man Aleksandar Mitrović will be pivotal to opening the game up as a spectacle, and for the fortunes of the Balkan nation on Thursday evening.
Strike it lucky
Under Clarke, the Tartan Army have started to look a competitive outfit once more, grinding out results against more favoured opposition, if not through silk, then certainly steel and a bit of guile. Some of that devilment will be missing by the enforced withdrawal of winger Ryan Fraser, which undoubtedly precipitates a more defensive posture from the outset. It is then a question of both where the creativity is going to come from, and who will finish off the scant chances conjured up. Scott McTominay, who has been one of the better performers in an erratic Manchester United outfit, will probably be shunted awkwardly into a back three, John McGinn could be the best candidate to break from midfield to help support Andrew Robertson's forays forward from left wing-back, and relative new face Lyndon Dykes will be a threat in the air for any crosses floated into his zone of influence.
Soundless Saltire
Almost certainly, the clash will take a while to get into a rhythm with so much at stake. Not having a full stadium might make the atmosphere less intimidating, and that could actually benefit both sides in loosening the shackles earlier than they might otherwise. On paper, there are certainly more goals and individual talent in the home side's ranks, regardless of which members make the cut/defy lockdown restrictions. However, that is seldom enough to win a game of football with so much pressure on their shoulders. A tight affair could be settled by a single strike, and betway are offering odds for Serbia to win at 1.67 in the 90 minutes (i.e. a different bet to simply qualifying).
