IT’S crunch time for Scotland as they take on Greece in Athens tonight.
There are some new faces in Steve Clarke’s squad, too, as the national team bids to keep its spot in the Nations League‘s top divison.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke[/caption]
Vangelis Pavlidis (right) scored as Greece beat England at Wembley in October[/caption]
After a dismal run of form, things turned at the end of the Nations League campaign.
A gutsy 0-0 draw at home against Portugal was followed by massive back-to-back wins over Croatia and Poland.
It was a crucial run of results that saw Clarke‘s men avoid bottom spot in Group A1 – a finish that would have meant relegation to League B.
Instead, a third-placed finish has led to a double-header against Greece with the winner taking a spot in the next campaign’s League A.
Greece finished second in Group B2, being pipped to top spot by England on goal difference.
These are two teams that are about to see a lot of each other, too.
Scotland and Greece are also in the same World Cup qualifying group and will meet after this play-off on a further two occasions later in the year.
So it’s an early chance to get some momentum and SunSport has all you need to know about the first leg.
When does Greece vs Scotland kick-off?
- Greece vs Scotland takes place TONIGHT, Thursday, 20 March
- It kicks-off at 7.45pm UK time
- The match is taking place at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis in Piraeus, in the urban area of Athens
- The officials are from Germany with the team led by referee Tobias Stieler and VAR Soren Storks
Can I live stream Greece vs Scotland? Is it on TV?
- Greece vs Scotland will be shown live by the BBC
- The match sees Scotland matches return to free-to-air television after spells on YouTube and subscription-based channels
- It’ll be shown live on BBC One Scotland and the BBC Scotland channel
- Coverage gets under way at 7pm, 45 minutes before kick-off
- The match can also be streamed for FREE via the BBC Sport Scotland website and BBC iPlayer
- It will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Scotland
- You can also follow every kick right here with SunSport’s LIVE match blog
Latest team news
There are FIVE uncapped players in Steve Clarke’s squad.
Ipswich striker George Hirst, who’s switched allegiance from England, is in the squad and in line for his international debut.
18-year olds Lennon Miller and James Wilson will also by eyeing their first senior caps, as will Max Johnston.
Goalkeeper Cieran Slicker is the other uncapped player in the squad.
Scotland are without the likes of Ben Doak, Ryan Gauld, Lewis Morgan and Lyndon Dykes who aren’t in the squad due to injury.
Liverpool star Kostas Tsimikas, Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis and Club Brugge’s Christos Tzolis are among the danger men in Greece’s squad.
They could also call upon 17-year old Kostas Karetsas for the first time after he switched nations from Belgium.
Latest odds*
Greece 19/20
Draw 11/5
Scotland 1/1
*odds with SkyBet as of 7.30am on 20 March
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
