Scotland 2–1 FYR Macedonia

A four-point gap, and pressure mounting

Scotland sit third in League B - Group A with four points from four matches, one place and four points above bottom side FYR Macedonia. The visitors have no points and a goal difference of -10, making this Nations League meeting at Hampden Park a chance to halt a damaging slide.

The pressure is firmly on FYR Macedonia: defeat would make it five consecutive losses in the competition. Scotland, meanwhile, can strengthen their position, though they have yet to turn their home fixtures into a source of confidence.

Defeats define Macedonia’s run

FYR Macedonia have lost all four of their Nations League matches, scoring no goals and conceding 10. They have also lost both away games, conceding five and failing to score in either. Their current four-match losing streak leaves little margin for error.

Scotland’s four results in this competition have been a draw, a defeat, a win and then another defeat. They have scored three and conceded five across those matches, with two clean sheets. At home, however, they have lost both games, scoring once and conceding five.

Scotland have the recent head-to-head edge

Scotland won the only listed meeting, beating FYR Macedonia 2-0 away in October in the Nations League. That result offers the hosts a clear reference point, but the return fixture brings a different challenge: Macedonia need a response, while Scotland must show more at home.

The key test for the visitors

The immediate task for FYR Macedonia is to find a way to score after four matches without a goal in this competition. Scotland’s home record gives the visitors a possible opening, but Macedonia’s own away defeats and lack of goals underline how difficult a turnaround will be.

Our prediction

Scotland have the edge after winning the previous meeting and facing a side that has lost four straight without scoring. Yet Scotland’s two home defeats make a comfortable night far from certain, and FYR Macedonia will be desperate to stop the slide.