Scotland vs Portugal: Preview, predictions and lineups

Portugal are aiming to maintain a 100% start to their UEFA Nations League campaign when they take on the point-less Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday night.

Roberto Martinez’s gifted Portuguese squad underwhelmed at Euro 2024 but they’ve made a faultless start to the 2024/25 Nations League. They head into this fixture having downed Poland 3-1 in Warsaw on Saturday as Cristiano Ronaldo scored goal number 133 for his country.

Martinez’s side edged past Steve Clarke’s Tartan Army 2-1 in the reverse fixture last month. The Scots took an early lead through Scott McTominay before second-half strikes from Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo ensured Clarke’s side left Lisbon with nothing.

Scotland have lost their opening three games in Group A1 and were most recently beaten 2-1 by Croatia. Tuesday’s hosts are hunting their first win over Portugal since 1980.

Here is 90min’s guide to Portugal’s battle in Scotland on Tuesday night.

Scotland vs Portugal H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Clarke has not been able to call upon the services of Greg Taylor this month due to a calf injury, while goalkeeper Angus Gunn, Celtic’s James Forrest and forward Lawrence Shankland were also unavailable.

Veteran shot-stopper Craig Gordon is in contention to add to his 76 Scotland caps in Gunn’s absence.

Kieran Tierney has been sidelined since Matchday 2 of Scotland’s forgettable Euro 2024 campaign, but Andy Robertson is available and he’ll continue down the left flank on Tuesday.

Scotland predicted lineup vs Portugal (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Ralston, Souttar, Hanley, Robertson; McLean, Gilmour; Doak, McTominay, Christie; Adams.

Martinez is unlikely to shuffle his pack too much from Saturday’s victory in Warsaw, although the Portugal manager does have quality in abundance throughout his squad.

Joao Neves, Joao Cancelo, Vitinha and Antonio Silva are among the stars hoping to earn minutes on Tuesday after they were unused substitutes against Poland.

Sporting CP’s Goncalo Inacio pulled out of the squad before Saturday’s game with an injury, which saw Chelsea’s Renato Veiga fill in at the heart of Portugal’s defence alongside Ruben Dias.

Portugal predicted lineup vs Scotland (4-3-3): Costa; Dalot, Silva, Dias, Mendes; J. Neves, Palhinha, Fernandes; Neto, Ronaldo, Leao.

If you forget about Euro 2024 opening night, Clarke’s Scotland have shown in recent years they can at least compete with the continent’s best. They gave Portugal a scare in the reverse fixture and all their defeats in Group A1 so far have frustratingly come by a single goal.

Hampden will be buzzing for Portugal’s visit with their Iberian foes, Spain, succumbing on their most recent outing in Glasgow. Scotland will have to produce an outstanding performance to win here, with Portugal boasting a hugely talented pool of players.

The Scots could pose some issues for the visitors early given Martinez’s side have done their fair bit of travelling during the break, but Portugal’s strength in depth will eventually tell.

Prediction: Scotland 1-2 Portugal

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