BETTING GUIDE: Scotland Vs Greece, Match Preview, Team News and betting guide
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Reading Time: 5min | Thu. 09.10.25. | 14:00
Scotland are unbeaten in the group and come into the game with three consecutive clean sheets across all competitions, including friendlies
After crossing paths in the UEFA Nations League earlier this year, Scotland and Greece are set to renew their rivalry at Hampden Park this Thursday night in a pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. This Group C showdown carries significant weight, with both nations locked in a tight race alongside Denmark and Belarus for the top spots.
While only one team earns automatic qualification, the playoff route remains in sight for others - making this clash a high-stakes affair.
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Scotland and Greece enter Matchday 3 of Group C separated by just one point. Scotland are currently joint-top of the group with four points (W1, D1) following a resolute 0-0 draw away to Denmark and a composed 2-0 win in Belarus.
Meanwhile, Greece sit third with three points after thumping Belarus 5-1 in their opener, only to crash back to earth with a 3-0 home loss to Denmark.
October is crucial for Scotland, who host back-to-back home games - first against Greece and then Belarus.
These fixtures provide a golden opportunity to not only secure a playoff berth but also lay down a strong claim for the sole automatic qualification spot, something the Tartan Army haven’t achieved since their last World Cup appearance in 1998.
However, form at Hampden Park will be a concern for Steve Clarke’s men.
Despite the momentum from a solid start on the road, they have managed just one win in their last nine home matches (D3, L5), a record they must correct if they are to stay in control of their World Cup destiny.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke faces a goalkeeping conundrum.
With Angus Gunn yet to play for Nottingham Forest this season and Zander Clark omitted, 42-year-old Craig Gordon returns to the squad despite not playing since May.
Liam Kelly has only featured once for Rangers, making the goalkeeping situation less than ideal.
Up front, Lawrence Shankland, the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer, has been left out, meaning the forward line will likely feature Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes, or George Hirst.
In midfield and defense, Scotland have more stability, with Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Kieran Tierney, and Andy Robertson all in contention to start.
Exciting 19-year-old winger Ben Doak is pushing for minutes despite limited action for Bournemouth this season.
Greece, meanwhile, will be without Panagiotis Retsos, who is sidelined with a groin injury. The central defensive duties will fall to Konstantinos Mavropanos and Konstantinos Koulierakis, while Kostas Tsimikas will start at left-back.
Captain Anastasios Bakasetas, Greece’s most experienced and highest-scoring current international (77 caps, 18 goals), will be crucial in linking midfield and attack.
Up front, Vangelis Pavlidis, in red-hot form for Benfica with five goals in eight league matches, will lead the line.
Scotland and Greece have already faced off this year in the UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation playoff, with each side winning away from home.
Scotland claimed a 1-0 victory in Athens, but Greece roared back with a 3-0 demolition at Hampden Park in the return leg.
That result gives the visitors confidence as they return to Glasgow, particularly as Greece have won each of their last five away internationals, including that Hampden triumph.
They’ve also scored at least twice in each of those games, establishing themselves as a potent force on the road.
Scotland are unbeaten in the group and come into the game with three consecutive clean sheets across all competitions, including friendlies.
Clarke has tightened his backline impressively, and with Denmark already behind them, Scotland are positioned well.
However, with just two of their last nine internationals seeing both teams score, their attacking consistency still needs improvement.
Greece are on a mixed run.
Their emphatic 5-1 win over Belarus displayed their attacking flair, but the 3-0 home loss to Denmark exposed defensive weaknesses.
Yet, their away form is superb, winning their last five road matches.
Tactically, Scotland will look to dominate possession and stretch Greece with overlapping full-backs like Robertson and Tierney, while McTominay and McGinn offer late runs and goal threats.
Greece, on the other hand, will sit deeper and hit on the break, with Christos Tzolis a key threat - having scored in four of Greece’s last five away matches, often striking after the interval.
Key Pointers
Only 30% of Scotland’s matches see both teams scoring, and just 2 of their last 9 internationals featured goals from both sides.
The designated home team has failed to score in 5 of Scotland’s last 6 matches, raising doubts about Hampden Park being a stronghold.
Greece have scored 2 or more goals in each of their last five away games, all of which saw over 2.5 goals.
Scotland's matches average 2.1 goals per game, while Greece's are more open, averaging 3.2 goals per game.
Scotland have won 5 of their last 8 games, while Greece boast 4 wins from their last 5, making both sides strong on form but stylistically different.
This clash is finely poised. Scotland have the better form overall, especially defensively, and playing at home gives them a slight edge - despite their poor recent record at Hampden.
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Greece’s firepower, especially away from home, cannot be ignored, and their 3-0 victory in Glasgow earlier this year remains fresh in the memory.
Scotland’s defensive strength meets Greece’s away scoring streak - a classic battle of control versus chaos.
Whichever way it goes, this game is likely to play a key role in shaping who makes it to North America in 2026 - and who will have to fight for a playoff lifeline.
Prediction; Both Teams to Score
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