Steve Clarke can be considering of nothing apart from ending off this worldwide triple header with a hat-trick of wins for Scotland and maintain the Tartan Military driving excessive on a wave of euphoria following victories over Ukraine and the Republic of Eire at Hampden.
In actual fact, Clarke solely wants a attract Krakow to safe high spot in Nations League Group B1. However Scotland followers are properly used to understanding that issues are by no means plain crusing. So it’s good to know that even shedding to Ukraine in Poland and ending second within the group may nonetheless see Scotland declare the the spot of greatest runner-up.
That's large as Scotland look to make sure they're in Pot 2 for subsequent month’s Euro 2024 draw and keep away from England, and presumably even the likes of France and different massive weapons. The draw for the European Championships in Germany takes place on October 9. And the Nations League is linked to the seedings. The 15 international locations from League A of the Nations League can be break up into pot one or two with the 4 group winners in League B additionally going into pot 2. Nonetheless, as Germany - at present fourth in Group A3 - qualify as hosts then there's pot 2 seeding up for grabs. And that may go to one of the best runners-up of the 4 teams in tier two.
Defeat for Scotland would see them on 12 factors however the factors towards the crew that finishes backside of the part are disregarded. Armenia are at present backside in order that tally could be minimize in half. If, nonetheless, Eire ended up backside then Scotland would solely lose Saturday’s victory and enhance their remaining tally so the result of the match between these two in Dublin would have a bearing. Right here, File Sport appears on the state of play within the different three teams and what Scotland would favor to occur.
Group B2
Russia had been disqualified for the event and are ranked fourth with zero factors so the present whole of the opposite sides stands. Israel have already gained the group and Iceland are in second place with three factors. They journey to Albania for his or her remaining fixture and victory would see them end on six factors. Defeat for Scotland in Ukraine and a win for Eire at residence to Armenia would see them match Scotland
Greatest state of affairs for Scotland - Albania to take one thing from Iceland
Group B3
Bosnia and Herzegovina have already clinched promotion to Group A. It is a tight part and Montenegro are at present second with seven factors and are at residence to Finland. A win would solely take them to 10 factors however Romania are all-time low simply now and the Montenegrins have overwhelmed them twice so six factors could be scratched from that whole to depart them with simply 4. Nonetheless, if Finland win then they might be on eight factors however, once more on the premise Romania are backside canines, would lose only one from that whole as they misplaced in Bucharest and drew at residence to Romania in order that's not final result.
Greatest state of affairs for Scotland - Montenegro to complete second and Romania backside
Group B4
That is the actually attention-grabbing one. Sweden host Slovenia on Tuesday night time and if the Scandinavians lose to stay backside of their part then six factors can be taken away from Serbia or Norway, relying on which a kind of two finishes second. These two go face to face in Oslo and are locked on 10 factors every so it’s winner takes all. But when Sweden win then they are going to leapfrog Slovenia and ship them backside and that may see solely 4 factors taken off the runners-up.
Greatest case state of affairs for Scotland - Sweden to complete backside
Briefly, who ought to Scotland be cheering on Tuesday?
Effectively, Steve Clarke’s boys for a begin. A attract Poland and high spot is secured. However after that they need Armenia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia all to get optimistic outcomes.
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