Scotland will be looking to keep up the pressure on table-toppers Denmark in their 2026 World Cup qualification (WCQ) group with a victory against Belarus.
Match News and Current Form
Despite being far from their best on Thursday, Scotland came from behind to defeat Greece 3-1 and now have a golden opportunity to begin a WCQ campaign with four games unbeaten for the first time since March 2001. You’d have to go even further back to 1998 for the last time that they took part in the tournament proper, but Steve Clarke’s men now stand a great chance to become history makers. Victory against Belarus is non-negotiable in their quest to reach next summer’s showpiece event, and with the added incentive of being able to win back-to-back home encounters for the first time since June 2023, it’s hard to look past Scotland here.
Belarus are toiling after being thumped 6-0 by Denmark, meaning that they have conceded 13 times in their three Group C games so far and have not yet earned a point. They can perhaps take some heart from the fact the reverse fixture against Scotland in September was the least painful of those matches (2-0), and with their qualification hopes all but over, the White Wings are now looking to avoid suffering five straight international defeats for the first time since November 2021 and end an awful run of ten consecutive WCQ losses.
Head-to-Head History
Scotland have won three of the five historical H2Hs (D1, L1), with four of those meetings between the sides witnessing under 2.5 goals.
Hot Stats and Streaks
The last five goals in Scotland matches have all come after the hour mark.
Scotland haven’t led at half-time in any of their last ten home games (HT: D5, L5).
Belarus haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last 20 WCQ games.
Belarus haven’t scored before half-time in any of their last nine competitive internationals.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Lyndon Dykes came off the bench against Greece to score his first Scotland goal in more than two years, meaning that his last four goals for club or country have all closed the scoring after the 85th minute. Trofim Melnichenko found the net in Belarus’ last victory - 4-1 against Kazakhstan in June - and his two international goals both came in victories by 3+ goal margins.
Scotland’s Ryan Christie and Lewis Ferguson are both suspended here, while Belarus seemingly have no fresh absentees.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Given Belarus’ terrible recent defending, going for a Scotland win and over 3.5 goals could pay dividends.
Author: Alex Bowmer
