Euro 2024: Georgia Test Next for the Flying Scots

Scotland vs Georgia

Steve Clarke’s Scotland can keep their Euro 2024 dreams well and truly on track if they beat Willy Sagnol’s Georgia at Hampden Park on Tuesday.

The Scots made a winning start to their campaign and led Group A after the first two rounds before grabbing a shock win away to Norway on Saturday, to take a grip on their destiny with three victories on the bounce.

The Tartan Army is in dreamland!

Euro 2024: Scotland vs Georgia is the next challenge for Clarke’s men and they are fully expected to win, but the Georgians have a couple of very dangerous players and Scotland will be taking nothing for granted. The Scotland vs Georgia betting odds suggest the hosts should pick up all three points and, if they do, then qualification for the 2024 showcase is very much on.

Talking Points

Scotland on a roll

So three wins from three!

Not even the most optimistic member of the Tartan Army would have predicted that, but the Scots have beaten Cyprus, then the favourites Spain and now Norway away from home. Facing Norway’s Erling Braut Haaland was a great test of centre backs Jack Hendry and Ryan Porteus on Saturday and they passed with flying colours, until the 61^st minute when the City man converted a penalty. The Norway boss took Haaland off and, with three minutes to go, it looked like the hosts would see out their win, but two goals in as many minutes turned the tie on its head.

Scotland had defended stoutly throughout but had barely attacked; but on 87 minutes QPR striker Lyndon Dykes poked home the equaliser and, on 89, Kenny McLean silenced the Oslo crowd as Scotland completed their smash and grab. They are now in a great position to qualify for Euro 2024 and, captained by Liverpool’s wingback Andrew Robertson and with Aston Villa’s John McGinn in an advanced midfield role they have some real quality in their ranks.

With main striker Che Adams injured, Dykes has staked his claim with his leveller against Norway and he’ll probably get the nod again over 27 year old Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland.

Kvaradona makes Georgia a dangerous team

22 year old winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been elevated to world class status this year as one of the standout players in Napoli’s 2023 Scudetto win. His speed on and off the ball, clever ball skills, beautiful delivery and eye for goal makes him one of the best players on the planet, and earned him the nickname Kvaradona in Naples, in honour of the Napoli legend Diego Maradona. He has a lot to live up to in Serie A next season but Kvaratskhelia oozes confidence and he’s also made an impressive start to his international career, scoring ten goals in 20 games.

Sagnol’s side kicked off with a useful 1-1 draw at home to Norway and the Crusaders are still optimistic of challenging for a qualification place. Their chances will be vastly improved if they can beat Scotland on Tuesday and they will also hope for a big performance from 22 year old Metz striker Georges Mikautadze, who is on the radar of Premier League club Burnley. He scored the Crsuaders’ equaliser in their draw with Norway and is another exciting prospect.

Coach Sagnol was a classy right back in his time as a player, winning 58 caps for France and five Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich and he has high standards and, backed by his skipper Gurum Kashia, a strong centre back with over 100 caps, his team will always be competitive.

This Georgia side is certainly no pushover.

History

The Scots have reached the European finals on three previous occasions but have never made it through to the knockout phases, while Georgia are yet to make a major finals competition; and they do have an uphill task in this tough group.

In terms of the head to head Scotland vs Georgia results we have parity at two wins each, the last meeting ending in a 1-0 win for the Georgians in a European Championship match in 2015.

In terms of recent form both teams are in good shape. Scotland have won four, drawn one and lost one of their last six games and Georgia come into the match with an identical record.

Betting Tip

At a SBOTOP price of 1.41 to win Scotland should make it a maximum 12 points but, while they beat favourites Spain, they were outplayed for long periods against Norway and, without a top class striker, they may find it hard to break the Georgians down.

I predict a tight game and would not be surprised to see a 1-1 result.

 

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