Czech Republic v Scotland: Scots favourites against under-strength Czechs

Czech Republic v Scotland
Monday, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports

Game goes ahead

Scotland take on Czech Republic in their second UEFA Nations League Group B2 game on Monday evening with the visitors aiming to grab their first win. The Scots stumbled to a disappointing draw at Hampden on Friday night in their opener, bringing an end to an impressive winning run.

Monday's match will go ahead as scheduled despite a surprising statement from the Czech FA that suggested the game had been called off due to coronavirus restrictions. UEFA have advised Steve Clarke to prepare his men for action and the team have trained as normal.

Czech off to a strong start

Czech Republic began their Nations League campaign with a convincing win over neighbours Slovakia on Friday night. It was a match they were expected to claim three points from, and The Locomotive did the business thanks to a strong 3-1 victory. It took Czech until the second-half to get off the mark, but they took the lead on 48 minutes through Vladimir Coufal and gained control of the contest. Borek Dockal hit a second from the penalty spot less than five minutes later and the game was over as a contest when Michael Krmencik wrapped things up with a third near the end.

Despite that strong start there has been trouble in the home camp, and they will be forced to field an under-strength team for this outing. Czech Rep have named a 24-man list for the game but it's all change with the squad and coaching staff from Friday's win now in quarantine amid COVID-19 fears. David Holoubek is stand-in manager and only two of his selections have won caps in the past.

Scots slip-up at home

It was another disappointing start to a campaign for members of the Tartan Army who watched their side stumble to a share of the points at home against Israel on Friday night. Hampden Park was empty, creating an eerie atmosphere but the locals took the lead on 45 minutes when Ryan Christie slotted home from the penalty spot. Israel were always competitive and got their reward when Eran Zahavi kept his cool to sweep home a stunning equaliser.

Speaking to the press in his post-match media chat, boss Clarke thought the good outweighed the bad on the night but admitted he had things to work on before Monday's trip. The former Kilmarnock boss accused his players of going to sleep at a throw-in and they were punished for that. He'll be eager to see his side hold their concentration for the entire 90 minutes, but was full of praise for how his defence shaped up against Israel.

Away win betting favourite

Czech Republic lead the head-to-head scores against Scotland, having claimed four victories in the seven games involving the nations. Despite that dominance the home team are winless in their last two, suffering a draw and defeat. The Betfair Exchange has Czech Republic at 65/1 to win the match.

Scotland are unbeaten in their last two against Czech Republic, securing an impressive 2-2 draw in 2011 before securing a memorable 1-0 win way from home in March 2016. The Scots are 1.51/2 favourites on the Betfair Exchange with the draw trading at 4.47/2.

Back a low-scoring match

In three of the last four renewals of this match we've seen one team fail to find the net and that's worth keeping in mind. Taking no in the both teams to score rates as a 2.0421/20 play or there's 1.910/11 about yes in the same market.

You can also predict the number of goals scored in this match. 1-0 has been the final score in three of the last four games, including that narrow Scotland win last time. Under 2.5 goals again here is 1.9210/11 with over 2.5 a 21/1 play.