Scotland UEFA Nations League permutations: What Steve Clarke’s men need to avoid relegation or reach quarterfinals | Sporting News United Kingdom

Scotland conclude their UEFA Nations League campaign on Monday as they face Poland in Warsaw.

Steve Clarke’s side looked destined for relegation from Group A1 of the competition after consecutive losses to Poland and Portugal in September, plus a 2-1 defeat versus Croatia on October 12.

Things have turned around over the past two matchdays, however. A point against Portugal last month restored some morale, and last Friday’s 1-0 win over 10-man Croatia — a result secured by John McGinn’s 86th-minute goal — means they enter this clash with Poland knowing that a drop to League B is far from certain.

Indeed, they could yet finish second in the standings and advance to the quarterfinals should things go their way both in their game with Poland and Croatia’s clash against Portugal, who are already confirmed as group winners.

So, what do they need to happen? The Sporting News breaks it down.

MORE: Full results and standings as the UEFA Nations League wraps up

Scotland UEFA Nations League permutations

After five matches in League A, Group 1, Scotland are bottom of the standings. However, they are only three points behind Croatia, who sit second in the table.

Below is a breakdown of what they need to happen on matchday six if they are to avoid relegation — or, just maybe, reach the quarterfinals.

What Scotland need to avoid relegation to League B

If Scotland do not beat Poland, they will definitely be relegated as they will finish bottom of the group.

If they defeat Poland but do not finish above Croatia, they will end this campaign in third place in the group. That means they will enter the League A/B playoff round, in which they will face a team that finished second in their League B group. The winner of that two-legged tie will be in League A for the next Nations League season.

What Scotland need to finish second in the group and qualify for the quarterfinals

There is a way in which Scotland could finish second in the group behind Portugal and thereby qualify for the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals.

If they beat Poland and Croatia lose to Portugal, then Scotland and Croatia will both have seven points. 

Their positions in the group will then be decided by the following criteria, in this order:
– Overall goal difference (Croatia’s is currently superior by two goals)
– Overall goals scored (Croatia have so far scored two more)
– Overall away goals scored (Croatia have so far scored two more)
– Overall wins (Croatia have two wins to Scotland’s one)
– Overall away wins (Both teams have none so far)

Poland vs. Scotland live stream, TV channel

Here’s how to watch this UEFA Nations League match in UK:

TV channel: —
Live stream: YouTube

This game is unfortunately not available for live TV broadcast in UK. Meanwhile, the Scottish FA has announced that the games will once again be available to watch for free on YouTube (Scotland national team’s channel).

If this match is not available to watch live in your location or if you’re traveling abroad, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs offer a secure and private online connection, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions to access your favourite streaming services from any device anywhere in the world.

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