Scotland have conceded less than two goals in seven of their last nine fixtures
North Macedonia have gone six matches without scoring
Recommended bet: Scotland to win, Kieron Bowie to score any time & under 3.5 goals @ 7/1 with LiveScore Bet
Scotland have taken just one point from their opening two games in Nations League Group B1, but they will be going after a first victory when facing basement boys North Macedonia at Tose Proeski Arena on Saturday.
There was talk of a transition towards more attack-minded football when Scotland chose Belgian Sebastien Pocognoli to be their new head coach.
But the new era is off to a sticky start with a goalless draw away to Slovenia preceding Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat at home to Switzerland.
Scotland’s tough task against the Swiss was made even more difficult by Jack Hendry’s 11th-minute red card.
And they will be hoping for a smoother ride against North Macedonia, who are justifying their status as sectional fourth seeds,
North Macedonia remain pointless and goalless after a couple of drab defeats at home to Switzerland (0-3) and away to Slovenia (0-2).
The latest North Macedonia vs Scotland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Ezgjan Alioski (calf) was injured during the build up to Tuesday's 2-0 defeat away to Slovenia and Darko Churlinov had previously withdrawn from the North Macedonia squad due to personal reasons.
Jack Hendry serves a suspension for Scotland after his red card in the 3-0 loss at home to Switzerland.
Kieron Bowie was substituted after just 13 minutes against the Swiss as Pocognoli summoned Stephen Welsh to plug the gap in his defence. However, the 25-year-old striker should be handed another opportunity in the starting XI.
The stats
North Macedonia have not won any of their last nine matches.
North Macedonia have lost their last three fixtures by more than one goal.
North Macedonia have conceded the opening goal in each of their last five competitive fixtures.
Scotland have lost just one of their last six competitive away games.
All of Scotland’s last five matches have featured less than four goals.
Scotland have kept clean sheets in four of their last five competitive away fixtures.
The latest North Macedonia vs Scotland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Scotland were forced to undertake a damage limitation exercise against Switzerland, but they will be going after a victory in North Macedonia and should achieve their aim in a fairly routine fashion.
The biggest challenge for Scotland’s head coach is to identify his best source of goals.
Pocognoli has brought Oli McBurnie in from the international wilderness and he likes the look of former Hibernian striker Kieron Bowie, who is plying his trade for Serie A side Sassuolo.
Bowie impressed off the bench in the goalless draw against Slovenia and he can play a match-winning role in a low-scoring Scottish success.
Score Prediction: North Macedonia 0-1 Scotland
Back Scotland to win, Kieron Bowie to score any time & under 3.5 goals @ 7/1 with LiveScore Bet
