Scotland and Denmark enter a key matchup with the winner of this upcoming clash set to take their place at the World Cup.

Scotland are set to host Denmark at Hampden Park in what seems like the most important game for either team, as a place in next year’s World Cup is at stake. Starting with Steve Clarke’s side, they have managed to make Group C one of the most exciting to watch, as they have taken the verdict to the very final game to decide who will qualify as group winners.

Scotland managed to go level on points with Denmark after consecutive wins over Belarus twice and Greece sandwiched in between. However, in the reverse fixture against the latter, Scotland found themselves 3-0 down, and despite a late surge after Greece went down to ten men, they could not get anything out of the game.

Fortunately, Denmark only managed a draw against Belarus, which has somewhat favoured Scotland ahead of the final Group C game. Ahead of this all-important clash, the two teams are in must-win territory, as the winners fly to the World Cup, with the other team featuring in the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Denmark are not exactly in must-win territory, as Brian Riemer’s side can also qualify with a draw owing to their single point advantage over Scotland. The Danish manager would have preferred his side to have secured a win over Belarus to avoid unprecedented drama away at Hampden Park, but this is the situation they find themselves in.

Denmark took the lead against Belarus through Mikkel Damsgaard, but three frantic second-half minutes saw the visitors score twice. However, Gustav Isaksen’s equaliser with slightly more than ten minutes left saw Denmark salvage a point. With a slender advantage, Riemer’s men are set for a tough test, with Scotland edging the head-to-head by three to one.

Team News & Tactics

Scotland

Steve Clarke faces plenty of problems on multiple levels, following the withdrawals of Italy-based midfielders Billy Gilmour and Lennon Miller. However, the absence of first-choice keeper Angus Gunn will cause more of a worry. His unavailability places 42-year-old Craig Gordon in the spotlight, with Riemer hoping for the veteran to put in his best display to date in a Scotland shirt.

Despite being somewhat at fault for Greece’s third goal, the veteran stopper made amends with his seven saves in that game. Clarke is widely not expected to make many changes to his lineup despite a lacklustre performance against Greece.

So, under-pressure forward Che Adams is likely to lead the line alongside Ryan Christie and Ben Gannon-Doak, with the latter scoring his first international goal last time out. Lewis Ferguson and John McGinn are the preferred pairing in the central midfield berths, with Scott McTominay reprising the attacking midfield role.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Ralston, Souttar, McKenna, Robertson; McGinn, Ferguson; Christie, McTominay, Gannon-Doak; Adams

Denmark

Brian Riemer will assess the fitness of a few of his key stars ahead of this all-important trip to Scotland, as key trio Joachim Andersen, Morten Hjulmand, and Rasmus Hojlund are all under the scanner ahead of the Scotland game. The on-loan Napoli striker was ill for the Belarus clash and was replaced by Jonas Wind, who will be the main option for Denmark if Hojlund does not recover to start.

Similarly, Andersen struggled to overcome a virus, and all eyes will be on the Fulham defender on whether he makes the team. There is good news with regards to Hjulmand, who did miss out against Belarus from the start but came off the bench, meaning the Sporting CP skipper is pencilled to start in this trip to Scotland alongside Pierre-Emile Hojberg in central midfield.

With Hojlund widely expected to return fit, Riemer may not change too much from his attacking setup, as Christian Eriksen and Mikkel Damsgaard are likely to pull the strings from their attacking roles, while Isaksen will also keep his place in the setup.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel; Kristensen, Andersen, Christensen, Dorgu; Hojberg, Hjulmand; Isaksen, Eriksen, Damsgaard; Hojlund

Key Stats

• Scotland have not reached the World Cup finals since 1998.
• Scotland have won 11 of their 19 meetings against the Danes across all fronts.
• Denmark will qualify for the World Cup with a single point.
• Denmark have lost three of their last four games against Scotland.

Player to Watch

Che Adams

Embed from Getty Images

The entire Scotland team will look to take inspiration from their neighbours, the Republic of Ireland, on how they banished doubts and made it to the playoffs against all odds, which in this case would mean beating Denmark. Just as Troy Parrott booked Ireland’s place in the playoffs, Scottish striker Che Adams must take inspiration from him ahead of this crucial clash with Denmark.

Adams could retain his place in Steve Clarke’s lineup owing to his experience and the fact that Scotland may not have a better option to replace him. Yet, there are many questions over his current form, which the fans would like to see drastically improve against Denmark and help fire Scotland to the World Cup.

Prediction

Scotland 2-1 Denmark

Had Denmark managed to beat Belarus, this game would not have as much importance as it does now, as that draw has opened new avenues for Scotland. The away side have shown plenty of cracks in that one game alone, while their overall recent record against the home side is not great either.

As for Scotland, the home team and the fans will be fired up for the occasion, knowing what is at stake against the visitors. Steve Clarke’s men also boasted a mildly superior record against Denmark, as the home support could help push the hosts to an unprecedented victory and book their tickets to the USA, Mexico and Canada ahead of next year.