Scotland begin their World Cup qualifying campaign in a tough looking six-nation Group F against Austria at Hampden Park on Thursday night as the nation look to ride on the tails of Rangers’ triumphant domestic season north of the border.
Although Scotland have lost their last two matches on the international stage, losing to Slovakia and Israel in the Nations League, both of these defeats were incurred away from home, and the hosts had previously posted a promising nine-match unbeaten run prior.
Let's get this ball rolling.Our @FIFAWorldCup qualifying campaign kicks off on Thursday night – catch our clash with Austria live on @SkySports.#SCOAUT pic.twitter.com/wcMSFXX4rP— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 23, 2021
Let's get this ball rolling.Our @FIFAWorldCup qualifying campaign kicks off on Thursday night – catch our clash with Austria live on @SkySports.#SCOAUT pic.twitter.com/wcMSFXX4rP
This encouraging sequence of results included victories over Czech Republic (home and away), Slovakia and Serbia, although the latter required a penalty shoot-out win away from home in the European Qualifiers.
In World Cup qualifiers, Scotland have produced a solid run of results, losing just twice in their last 12 matches overall, again, both of which were away from home at Slovakia and the auld enemy, England, in 3-0 defeats.
Form on home soil though has been consistent of late with Scotland being unbeaten in their last six qualifiers, winning four of these, and losing just once in their previous seven meetings against Austria.
Onto Austria, and they face a tough opening match in their World Cup qualifying campaign as they face a trip to Glasgow to face hosts, Scotland, whom they’ve struggled against in previous exchanges.
However, the visitors will be in a confident frame of mind as they’ve lost just once in their last eight matches in all competitions which came in the shape of a 3-2 loss at home to Romania in the Nations League but they’ve since bounced back in impressive fashion.
Austria have won five of their subsequent six matches overall which includes competitive wins over Northern Ireland (home and away) and Romania, but results on the World Cup qualifier stage have not been so convincing.
With just three wins out of their last nine qualifiers, two of which have been recorded on home soil at their Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna, Austria look to have their work cut out in this upcoming tussle at Hampden Park.
Particularly as they’ve managed just three wins out of their last 18 away matches in World Cup qualifiers.
This is the opening match of the group phase though and both teams’ prioroties will be not to lose this one, so a draw looks to be on the cards here.