Scotland take on Hungary at the Stuttgart Arena on Sunday, June 23, knowing that they must beat the Magyars if they are to reach the knockout stages of Euro 2024.
The crucial Group A contest will be shown live on BBC One at 20:00 and it promises to be a tense affair given what is at stake.
Scotland recovered from their 5-1 hammering against Germany to earn a well-deserved 1-1 draw against Switzerland and that has set up an all or nothing clash with Hungary.
The Tartan Army know that they must beat Hungary if they are to progress to the knockout stages and the Magyars find themselves in the same position after losing to Switzerland and Germany.
Tip 1: Scotland to beat Hungary
Steve Clarke’s men certainly put up an improved showing against the Swiss on Wednesday night and it was a change of tactics that led to the change of fortune.
Scotland got involved in a chaotic contest with Germany in the Euro 2024 opener and that’s a dangerous game to play against a top-level side.
The Tartan Army don’t have the pace and penetration in attack to benefit from an open contest, and a positive result followed when Clarke reverted to a measured and controlled approach against Switzerland.
Scotland’s strength is in midfield, with Billy Gilmour, John McGinn, Scott McTominay and Callum McGregor dictating the game and that quartet can stamp their class on a haywire Hungary team without getting involved in an end-to-end battle.
The Magyars are a pacy and dangerous attacking side and they showed their threat by creating three of four excellent chances against Germany.
However, Marco Rossi’s men may prove less effective against a solid and disciplined Scotland.
At the prices, Clarke’s men look worth backing to book their place in the last-16.
Tip 2: Scotland to win 1-0
There have been six goals in Hungary’s opening two Euro 2024, but their final group stage clash is likely to be a more pragmatic contest.
Scotland learned a harsh lesson when attempting to pressure and open up against Germany and Clarke will no doubt opt for a more compact and solid structure again.
The Tartan Army aren’t blessed with a huge number of attacking options, but they have a goalscoring threat from midfield and set-plays and it could be that a single goal is enough for Scotland to collect a crucial victory.
Clarke certainly won’t be eager for his side to push forward if they do take the lead and the Tartan Army don’t have the pace in attacking areas to counter-attack a Hungary side, who will need to go for gold at some point in the contest.
It’s likely to be a controlled and measured approach from the Tartan Army and a 1-0 Scotland correct score play appeals.
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