Scotland vs Cech Republic
Scotland vs Czech Republic is the second Group D game of Euro 2020, taking place at Hampden Park in Glasgow on June 13. Scotland have only made two prior appearances in the European Championships, last qualifying in 1996 when Czech Republic finished as runners-up. Both teams will be anxious to get points on the board in what looks to be a tough group for them. Read on for our analysis, match predictions and betting tips.
Form
Steve Clarke’s Scotland side come into the European Championships somewhat out of form having only won four of their last 11 games. Their 4-0 win over the Faroe Islands in their last competitive international ended a run of five games without a win including defeats to Slovakia and Israel. However, a good run in the Nations League last autumn showed that Scotland have got something about them and they will want to recapture that form.
They face a Czech Republic side whose form has also been spotty of late and who are without a win in their last two competitive internationals. While a draw against a strong Belgium side in March is not to be sniffed at, defeat to Wales in Cardiff will have been a tough result to take and coach Jaroslav Silhavy will be hopeful that result is not indicative of what will happen in Glasgow.
Injuries
Scotland named their final 26-man squad for the tournament pretty early, with Steve Clarke finding no room for either Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie nor Celtic forward Leigh Griffiths. Instead he has turned to QPR striker Lyndon Dykes fresh from a 12 goal season in the EFL Championship and Southampton forward Che Adams. Adams only recently made his debut for Scotland but the 24-year-old ex Birmingham City striker has found his feet in the Premier League and could be a very good asset to the Tartan Terriers.
Silhavy will have to make do without Ondrej Kudela, as the Slavia Prague centre-back had his 10 match UEFA ban for racially abusing Glen Kamara in a Europa League match upheld, keeping him out of the entirety of this tournament. Key players for the Czech Republic include West Ham pair Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek, who have both had excellent seasons in the Premier League while Bayer Leverkusen forward Patrik Schick is a threat up front.
Game Prediction
Despite being the away team, Czech Republic go into this match as favourites with the bookies. This probably has a lot to do with the poor form Scotland endured over the autumn months and the lack of confidence punters have in them to win in this tournament. While the Czechs have looked better, that defeat to Wales in Cardiff will have shook them up and it will be important for them to get back into gear in their warmup friendlies with Italy and Albania. We recommend looking for betting tips in the 1X2 market.