Scotland v Ireland predictions: Promotion-chasing hosts can pick up another win

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Scotland v Ireland in the Nations League on Saturday.

Where to watch

Premier Sports 1, 7.45pm Saturday

Best bets

Scotland
2pts 21-20 general

Jayson Molumby to be shown a card
1pt 15-8 bet365

Team news

Scotland
Aaron Hickey should replace injured right-back Nathan Patterson. Andy Robertson, Grant Hanley and Jon McLaughlin are not in the squad.

Ireland
Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and Middlesbrough defender Darragh Lenihan are out.

Match preview

Scotland will not be short of motivation for their Nations League home game against Ireland as they chase promotion from Group B1 and aim to avenge a 3-0 defeat in June's reverse fixture.

Despite that loss in Dublin, Steve Clarke's side are top of the group, two points clear of Ukraine with two matches to go, and they should be backed to outclass Ireland this time.

Scotland have already claimed one cathartic victory this week, beating Ukraine 3-0 three months after losing to the same opponents in the World Cup playoff semi-final at Hampden Park.

That playoff defeat was a rare recent setback for the Scots on home turf and they took 13 points from a possible 15 in home World Cup qualifiers against Austria, the Faroe Islands, Moldova, Israel and Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark.

Scotland extended that fine run by beating Armenia 2-0 and Ukraine 3-0 in the first two home Nations League matches and their performance against the Ukrainians on Wednesday suggests they should complete a hat-trick against Ireland.

Stephen Kenny's time as Ireland manager has not been studded with exciting attacking performances so his side's slick 3-0 win over the Scots in June came as something of a surprise.

Young forward Michael Obafemi, the inspiration for that victory, has made an underwhelming start to the Championship season with Swansea, and Ireland's only other goal in three Nations League matches came from an unlikely source.

Centre-back Nathan Collins sauntered through the Ukraine defence to score a brilliant solo goal but Scotland should be confident of keeping Ireland's attackers quiet.

The Scots had to wait until the last 20 minutes to score their three goals against Ukraine, with John McGinn breaking the deadlock and substitute striker Lyndon Dykes adding two late headers.

However, it was a well-deserved win as they had 24 shots to Ukraine's three and five of the frustrated visitors picked up yellow cards.

Jayson Molumby could start in the Irish engine room and the West Brom midfielder is worth backing to be booked.

Molumby has been shown a card every 179 minutes on average in the past two Championship seasons and he was cautioned in his last two World Cup qualifying appearances against Serbia and Azerbaijan last September.

Key stat

Ireland have failed to score in ten of their 14 Nations League matches.

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