Scotland are in a precarious position in Group A1 in the Uefa Nations League ahead of their crunch clash with Croatia at Hampden Park on Friday.
Scotland vs Croatia predicted lineups
Scotland (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Ralston, Souttar, Hendry, Robertson; McLean, Gilmour; McGinn, McTominay, Doak; Dykes
Croatia (3-4-2-1): Labrovic; Sutalo, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol; Perisic, Modric, Kovacic, Sosa; Baturina, Kramaric; Matanovic
Steve Clarke’s men are on the brink of relegation to League B in the competition and things do not get any easier when Zlatko Dalic’s side come to town.
These nations collided last month with Croatia taking the spoils in a 2-1 win at the Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb. Igor Matanovic and Andrej Kramaric scored for the hosts following Ryan Christie’s opener.
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Scotland followed up with an admirable 0-0 draw with Portugal last time out but things are still looking bleak for the hosts.
Croatia, meanwhile, can approach Friday’s contest in a fairly relaxed mood having taken seven points from their four matches and are on course to finish in the top two in Group A1.
Relegation threat looms for Scotland
Scotland have a mountain to climb if they are to avoid relegation in the Nations League and remain in League A.
Their first four matches in Group A1 have yielded just one point after defeats to Poland, Portugal and Croatia were followed by a draw with the Portuguese last month.
That stalemate showed some promise but it also means Scotland have won just one of their last 16 matches, cranking up the pressure on manager Clarke.
Scotland are also experiencing their longest winless run on home soil, having failed to win any of their last six fixtures on their own patch.
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It has been a campaign of fine margins with Scotland conceding late goals in defeats to Portugal and Poland. Something must change for Clarke’s men, who are up against it.
If Scotland fail to beat Croatia at Hampden Park and Poland get at least a point against Portugal, then Clarke’s men will be relegated back to League B, which will also happen if Scotland draw and Poland manage to win.
Either way, things are not looking good for the Scots, who continue to underwhelm the Tartan Army.
Scotland vs Croatia team news
For Scotland, Jack Hendry, John McGinn and Stuart Armstrong are all set to return to the fold as their injury issues start to ease.
But Clarke will be lighter on options in attack with Che Adams out with a thigh injury.
Lyndon Dykes will likely lead the line for the hosts but Tommy Conway and Lawrence Shankland could also be in contention.
At the opposite end of the field, 41-year-old Craig Gordon could again feature in between the sticks for Scotland with Angus Gunn unavailable.
As for the away side, Croatia will be without talented midfielder Lovro Majer and experienced forward Bruno Petkovic.
Star shot-stopper Dominik Livakovic was sent off against Poland so he misses out through suspension, meaning Augsburg ace Nediljko Labrovic could start in goal for Croatia.