MX23RW : Thursday, November 18 17:07:28| >> :120:56431:56431:
Nov 15, 2021 at 7.45pm UK at Hampden Park
ScotlandScotland
2-0
DenmarkDenmark
Souttar (35'), Adams (86')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Schmeichel (21')

Preview: Scotland vs. Denmark - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Monday's World Cup Qualifying - Europe clash between Scotland and Denmark, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Fresh from securing second position in Group F and a spot in the World Cup 2022 qualification playoffs, Scotland will welcome runaway section leaders Denmark to Glasgow on Monday night.

Friday's 2-0 victory in Moldova was enough to guarantee second in the group, while Denmark made it nine straight wins in the section with a 3-1 success over Faroe Islands on the same night.


Match preview

Scotland manager Steve Clarke on June 14, 2021© Reuters

Nathan Patterson and Che Adams scored the goals on Friday evening, as Scotland recorded a 2-0 victory over Moldova to clinch a World Cup playoff position with a game to spare.

Steve Clarke's side have enjoyed an impressive Group F campaign, winning six, drawing two and losing one of their nine matches to collect 20 points, and they might have been in with a chance of finishing top of the section with that total, had Denmark not been in such incredible form.

There is no serious pressure on Scotland heading into Monday's contest, but it is far from a dead rubber, as the home side need to win to stand the best possible chance of being seeded in the playoffs, which will see them be at home for a one-off semi-final next March.

Scotland have not qualified for the finals of a World Cup since 1998, but they did compete at this summer's European Championship, failing to progress through the group stage of the competition.

Clarke's team suffered a 2-0 defeat to Denmark in the reverse match in September, but the fact that the visitors have little to play for should work in the home side's favour on Monday night.

Denmark's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg celebrates with teammates on September 7, 2021© Reuters

Denmark reached the semi-finals of this summer's European Championship, which proved to be their best performance in the competition since winning it in 1992. Meanwhile, they were present at the 2018 World Cup, reaching the round of 16 before losing to Croatia on a penalty shootout.

The Danes were always going to be the favourites to top this section, and they have enjoyed a stunning qualification campaign, winning all nine of their matches, scoring 30 times and conceding just once.

The Red and Whites will enter this match off the back of a 3-1 success over Faroe Islands on Friday, with Andreas Skov Olsen, Jacob Bruun Larsen and Joakim Maehle finding the back of the net.

Monday's affair is a pressure-free contest for Denmark, but they have never won every match during qualification for a World Cup, so the visitors will be chasing a piece of history in Glasgow.

Kasper Hjulmand's side have also been victorious in each of their six matches since a 2-1 defeat to England in the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and will be in no mood to give up their impressive winning run.

Scotland World Cup Qualifying - Europe form:
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Denmark World Cup Qualifying - Europe form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W



Team News

Scotland's Nathan Patterson pictured on September 4, 2021© Reuters

Scotland will be able to call upon Lyndon Dykes, with the striker available after sitting out the clash with Moldova through suspension, and the 26-year-old is expected to come back into the team alongside Adams as part of a front two.

Stuart Armstrong could be the player to miss out if Dykes does indeed return, with John McGinn moving into a deeper position alongside Billy Gilmour and Callum McGregor in midfield.

Scott McTominay was forced to leave the camp through illness and remains a doubt, meaning that a back three of Jack Hendry, Liam Cooper and Kieran Tierney should again take to the field here.

Patterson is suspended, though, which could open the door for Stephen O'Donnell to feature on the right.

As for Denmark, head coach Hjulmand is expected to make some changes to the side that took to the field for the first whistle against Faroe Islands on Friday.

Thomas Delaney is likely to come back into the middle of the park, while Jacob Bruun Larsen could start, having scored off the bench last time out.

Jannik Vestergaard should also return, having been an unused substitute against Faroe Islands, but Yussuf Poulsen, who is the leading goalscorer in the squad with 11 due to Christian Eriksen's absence, will again lead the line for the Danes.

Scotland possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Hendry, Cooper, Tierney; O'Donnell, Gilmour, McGregor, McGinn, Robertson; Adams, Dykes

Denmark possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Vestergaard, Kjaer, Christensen; Wass, Delaney, Lindstrom, Maehle; S Olsen, Poulsen, B Larsen


SM words green background

We say: Scotland 1-1 Denmark

Hampden Park will be absolutely rocking on Monday, as Scotland go in search of a win, but we are finding it difficult to back against Denmark due to their incredible form in the section. Both teams will be feeling good about themselves entering the contest, and we have had to settle on a low-scoring draw in Glasgow.


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How you voted: Scotlvs vs Denmark

Scotland
25.4%
Draw
24.5%
Denmark
50.2%
327
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