Scotland vs Israel: Euro 2020 play-off team news, starting XI, how to watch, referee and match odds

Scotland’s European championship qualification hopes are in the balance against Israel at Hampden tomorrow night.
Scotland's Lyndon Dykes and Dor Peretz in action during the UEFA Nations League match between Scotland and Israel at Hampden in September (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)Scotland's Lyndon Dykes and Dor Peretz in action during the UEFA Nations League match between Scotland and Israel at Hampden in September (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
Scotland's Lyndon Dykes and Dor Peretz in action during the UEFA Nations League match between Scotland and Israel at Hampden in September (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

The one-off UEFA Nations’ League play-off semi-final match will determine who progresses through for a final face-off against either Norway or Serbia with a place at next season’s Euros at stake.

If Steve Clarke and the team can negotiate the two matches successfully, it would be the first time Scotland have qualified for the European Championships since 1996 and the country’s first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France.

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The visitors to Hampden are well known to the squad, indeed, the sides met in the regular season Nations League less than five weeks ago and have played three times inside the last couple of years.

Scotland manager Steve Clarke with coaches Steven Reid (left) and John Carver (right)  during Scotland training on Monday (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)Scotland manager Steve Clarke with coaches Steven Reid (left) and John Carver (right)  during Scotland training on Monday (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Scotland manager Steve Clarke with coaches Steven Reid (left) and John Carver (right) during Scotland training on Monday (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

Here’s all you need to know about tomorrow night’s match.

Team news: Stuart Armstrong is out of the match having tested positive for coronavirus and also having to withdraw are Kieran Tierney and Ryan Christie – both identified as close contacts of the Southampton midfielder. Scott McKenna, now of Nottingham Forest, has been ruled out through injury as has Oliver Burke and Liam Palmer.

Steve Clarke may have to send for re-inforcements after such a widescale enforced withdrawl.

Players from the SPFL Premiership will face some familiar foes – or even team-mates – tomorrow night with Hibs’ Ofir Marciano and Celtic duo Hatem Abd Elhamed and Nir Bitton in the mix for Israel, though Bitton is an injury doubt for the visitors.

Ryan Porteous, Lawrence Shankland, Stephen O'Donnell and Kenny McLean were among few to train on Monday(Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)Ryan Porteous, Lawrence Shankland, Stephen O'Donnell and Kenny McLean were among few to train on Monday(Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Ryan Porteous, Lawrence Shankland, Stephen O'Donnell and Kenny McLean were among few to train on Monday(Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

Possible Scotland line-up: Marshall, Taylor, Cooper, McTominay, O’Donnell, Robertson, McLean, McGinn, McGregor, Fraser, Dykes.

Match details: Kick-off 7.45pm, Hampden Park, Glasgow.

How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football from 7pm

Last meeting: September 4 2020 – Scotland 1-1 Israel, (Christie 45pen, Zahavy 73)

Ryan Christie put Scotland ahead when the sides last met in September (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)Ryan Christie put Scotland ahead when the sides last met in September (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
Ryan Christie put Scotland ahead when the sides last met in September (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Last five matches: Scotland WDWWW Israel DDLLW

Key stat: Israel have only won twice in the last 18 months, and Scotland had won each home meeting between the sides prior to last month’s draw

Referee: Ovidiu Hategan (Romania)

Match odds: Scotland Evs (bet365, William Hill); Draw 23/10 (bet365, William Hill); Israel 29/10 (William Hill).First scorer: Lyndon Dykes 5/1 (bet365); Eran Zahavi 6/1 (bet365).