Scotland v Belarus Match Preview
World Cup qualification remains very much on the cards for Scotland as they prepare to host Belarus at Hampden Park on Sunday.
Steve Clarke’s side came from behind to beat Greece 3-1 on Thursday to preserve their unbeaten qualifying campaign so far and boost hopes of appearing at a first World Cup finals in 28 years.
After three games, Clarke’s team are level on points with group leaders Denmark, and four points ahead of Greece.
Victory over Belarus, coupled with a Greece defeat in Copenhagen, would guarantee at least a play-off spot for Scotland.
The visitors, however, will be looking for a markedly improved showing following their 6-0 defeat at the hands of Denmark.
Scotland v Belarus team news
Clarke will be forced into at least a couple of changes for the clash on Sunday. Goalscorers Lewis Ferguson and Ryan Christie will both be suspended, while Aaron Hickey came off with a knee injury and looks to be a doubt.
Anthony Ralston could replace Hickey, while Billy Gilmour could come back into the midfield from the start.
Meanwhile, Belarus boss Carlos Alos could well switch things up after his side’s thrashing against Denmark.
Scotland v Belarus expected lineups
Scotland: Gunn; Ralston, Souttar, Hanley, Robertson; Gilmour, McLean; McGinn, McTominay, Doak; Adams
Belarus: Pavlyuchenko; Karpovich, Parkhomenko, Zabelin, Volkov, Pyachenin; Myakish, Kalinin, Ebong; Melnichenko, Barkovsky
Scotland v Belarus stats
- Scotland are unbeaten in 2026 World Cup qualifying so far, winning two and drawing one. Should they avoid defeat against Belarus, it would mark the first time they have not suffered defeat in the first four matches of a qualifying campaign since the 2002 World Cup campaign, when they won the first six.
- The game will be Steve Clarke’s 72nd in charge of Scotland, the most of any manager in their history. Victory would be his 32nd win and would take him level with Craig Brown for the most wins in the national team’s history.
- Scotland are unbeaten in their last 12 World Cup qualifying home matches.
- Belarus’ 6-0 defeat at the hands of Denmark on Thursday was their second-heaviest ever after the 8-0 thrashing against Belgium in 2021.
- Scotland have won three of their previous five meetings with Belarus.
- This will be Belarus’ third trip to face Scotland. The first came in September 1997 (a 4-1 loss), before winning the most recent 1-0 in October 2005.
How to watch Scotland v Belarus
The match will be available in the UK on BBC Scotland, kick-off at 5pm UK time.
Prediction
Buoyed by their impressive comeback against Greece, Scotland will go into this game full of confidence knowing qualification is still very much a possibility.
Anything other than a win could prove costly for Clarke’s men, but they should have enough to see off the challenge here.
Scotland 2-0 Belarus
