Scotland are looking for their first win of this year’s Nations League campaign when they host Portugal at Hampden Park later this evening. The Tartan Army are now 15 games without a victory and lost to Croatia last week, albeit in relatively tight fashion. Stepping up to the top league has been difficult for Steve Clarke’s side, who also endured a largely terrible time of things at Euro 2024.
Roberto Martinez’s Portugal side, meanwhile, have won three from three since reaching the quarter-finals in Germany this summer. Cristiano Ronaldo is showing little sign of wanting to call an end to his stunning international career as he chases a remarkable 1,000th goal.
The Portuguese will no doubt be strong favourites in Glasgow this evening but a landmark win for the Scots would be some way to end what has been a dismal run of form. Follow all the action LIVE with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Scotland vs Portugal latest news
Live updates
51 mins: Another flowing team move for Portugal comes to nothing as Conceicao blazes over.
Scotland living a little dangerously...
47 mins: Ronaldo sends a header way over the bar after some excellent movement.
Scotland need to press up the field here, they’re getting a little overrun.
Back underway!
David Moyes has just been spotted in the Hampden Park stands...
Nothing to split the sides at the break!
42 mins: Scotland will feel they can get something here. Portugal have seen a lot of the ball but yet to truly trouble them.
36 mins: Lovely cross from Fernandes finds its way to Mendes, who tees up Jota but Souttar blocks.
30 mins: Ronaldo attempts an overhead kick after Jota’s cushioned header but skews it wide.
26 mins: McTominay booked for a challenge on Fernandes.
21 mins: Solid enough from Scotland so far. Portugal cannot get into much of a rhythm
How to watch Scotland vs Portugal FOR FREE: TV channel and live stream for Nations League today
Scotland are desperate to end their losing run as Hampden hosts Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo in the Nations League.
Steve Clarke’s side are enduring a “tough” nine-match winless run, but defeat against Croatia on Saturday means the Tartan Army face the prospect of losing five games in a row for the first time in their history if the result does not go their way tonight in Glasgow.
The Scots have been hit by an injury crisis, as well as a run of late misfortune. After defeats to Poland and Portugal last month, Clarke’s side then had a stoppage-time equaliser that would have rescued a 2-2 draw against Croatia ruled out for offside in Zagreb.
It leaves Scotland facing the prospect of relegation from the top tier of the Nations League but victory against Portugal and Ronaldo would go a long way to lifting the gloom.
The match is not being shown live on TV after the broadcast rights were not picked up by ITV, and is only available to watch on the Viaplay International YouTube channel. Follow live updates from Scotland vs Portugal in the Nations League below:
Nuno Mendes dances past Anthony Ralston but loses the run of the ball as he foxtrots beyond the right-back, meaning his eventual cut-back is played from out of play.
How long will the managers wait to change things? Roberto Martinez, particularly, has plenty of options lurking on his bench.
Another big let-off for Scotland! Cristiano Ronaldo turns provider, drawing two to him and then slotting the ball back to Francisco Conceicao, but his effort is like a Samuel Marques conversion, sailing over the bar.
Ben Doak is cut down in full flow by Joao Palhinha, who accepts a booking with no fuss. A heavy tumble for Doak leaves him testing out the motion in his joints, but all is in order as Andy Robertson readies to take the free kick.
It’s a good’un, too, bending dangerously into the Portugal box, but Diogo Costa is confidently out to batter away, and there’s a foul by a Scot elsewhere, anyway.
Guided over! Cristiano Ronaldo falls to the floor in disbelief, unable to comprehend how he has managed to steer a free header from 10 yards over the crossbar. It’s the sort of opportunity he would usually bury...
Ryan Christie has had to do plenty of defensive work this season, so it won’t please him that a rare opportunity to get forward is squandered by an errant John Souttar pass.
David Moyes is in the house, the former West Ham manager now a Uefa technical observer as he awaits his next job in front-line coaching. If Scotland’s miserable run continues...
The players are back out there.
No goals at Hampden Park, which will please Steve Clarke and Scotland. The hosts have probably had the best chance, too - Scott McTominay should perhaps have done better with an early header that he directed straight at Diogo Costa. Portugal controlled proceedings more and more as the half wore on but it remains level pegging, with both sides looking to lift their level after some half-time oranges.
The referee does not even bother with any additional time.
Scotland vs Portugal predictions and betting tips for Nations League clash
Our football expert offers his Scotland vs Portugal predictions and betting tips, ahead of Tuesday’s Nations League A1 clash at 19:45 (15/10/2024).
Portugal have stolen an early march in Nations League Group A1, having won each of their opening three fixtures, while Scotland are playing catch-up following three defeats on the spin.
These two met in Lisbon last month and Portugal came from behind to record a 2-1 victory, something that they should be confident of emulating against a depleted Tartan Army at Hampden Park.
All odds are courtesy of bet365, correct at the time of publishing and subject to change.
Portugal have celebrated victory in each of their opening three Nations League games and they are fancied to maintain that flawless start at Scotland, whose only win in their last 15 internationals came away at minnows Gibraltar.
The Tartan Army have lost their first three Nations League assignments, although they have shown some bright moments going forward with two goals netted in defeat to Poland and having opened the scoring away at Portugal and Croatia.
However, Scotland are being hampered by injuries and they are regularly being exposed defensively, with 16 goals conceded across their last seven internationals.
With Portugal’s attack being armed with Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto, Rafael Leao, Diogo Jota and Bernardo Silva, Scotland are likely to be overwhelmed.
But the Selecao have conceded in each of their Nations League wins over Croatia, Scotland and Poland, so there may be a consolation strike in it for the tenacious Tartan Army.
Scotland vs Portugal Tip 1: Portugal to win & both teams to score @ 21/10 with bet365
Chelsea centre-back Renato Veiga made his first Portugal start in Saturday’s 3-1 victory at Poland and, with Goncalo Inacio and Tomas Araujo out injured, he is likely to get the verdict again in Glasgow.
That is despite Veiga having made only four Premier League appearances for the Blues this season and the 21-year-old can expect to be involved in physical battle with Scotland, especially if Lyndon Dykes starts up front as he did in their recent 2-1 loss at Croatia.
Dykes committed three fouls as well as winning three against Croatia and he can cause problems for Veiga, who conceded five fouls when trying to contain Poland and Robert Lewandowski on his full debut.
Scotland vs Portugal Tip 2: Renato Veiga to be shown a card @ 13/5 with bet365
Fernandes has had a difficult start to the season domestically with Manchester United, but he continues to shine for Portugal and he has scored or assisted in all three of their Nations League victories.
Fernandes has scored in nine of his last 19 appearances for Portugal and he could enhance that record against Scotland, who have looked defensively vulnerable in recent times.
The 30-year-old had five shots in Saturday’s 3-1 win in Poland, hitting the target twice, and he may be able to show why he is a key component in this star-studded Portugal squad at Hampden Park.
Scotland vs Portugal Tip 3: Bruno Fernandes to score at anytime @ 21/10 with bet365
How to watch Scotland vs Portugal in the Nations League: TV channel and live stream
Scotland take on group leaders Portugal in 2024-25 UEFA Nations League fixture in Glasgow on Tuesday.
Despite some spirited performances, Steve Clarke’s side has faced a tough campaign, suffering three consecutive losses in the tournament. The latest was a 2-1 defeat to Croatia.
Portugal, meanwhile, have a perfect record and have nine points from three matches so far. Cristiano Ronaldo's form, alongside the creative spark of Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva in the midfield, has been crucial in Portugal’s dominance.
Key details for the Nations League match between Scotland and Portugal
How to watch Scotland vs Portugal in the UK
TV channel: None Live stream: Viaplay International YouTube channel
This game is not available to watch on TV with the only option being to stream the match on Viaplay International's YouTube channel for free.
Their games against Poland and Portugal in September were picked up by ITV, but no such deal was made for this month's matches against Croatia and Portugal.
If this match is not available to watch live in your location or if you’re traveling abroad, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs offer a secure and private online connection, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions to access your favourite streaming services from any device anywhere in the world.
WATCH FROM ANYWHERE: Sign up for NordVPN (30-day moneyback guarantee)
When is the kickoff time for Scotland vs Portugal?
This UEFA Nations League clash takes place at Hampden Park, Glasgow, and kicks off on Tuesday, October 15, at 7:45 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates to UK:
Team news for the UEFA Nations League clash between Scotland and Portugal
Scotland
Scotland enters this game with some injury concerns. Angus Gunn, Lawrence Shankland, Greg Taylor, and James Forrest are unavailable, which has impacted their squad depth.
Che Adams, who had a late equalizer ruled out in that match, is likely to lead the attack, potentially replacing Lyndon Dykes.
Scotland predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Gordon— Ralston, Souttar, Hanley, Robertson— McLean, Gilmour—Doak, McTominay, Christie— Adams
Injured: Angus Gunn, Lawrence Shankland, Greg Taylor, James Forrest Suspended: None
Portugal
Portugal has faced some selection challenges, with Goncalo Inacio withdrawing due to injury and Tomas Araujo left out of the squad.Antonio Silva is available as a defensive option, while Renato Veiga made his full senior debut at center-back against Poland.
Despite these adjustments, Portugal's star power remains intact, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva in fine form.
Portugal predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Costa— Dalot, Dias, Veiga, Mendes— Silva, R. Neves—Jota, Fernandes, Leao— Ronaldo
Injured: Goncalo Inacio Suspended: None
Prediction
Despite a spirited effort from Scotland last time around, Portugal's depth and attacking quality should see them through. Expect Scotland to challenge early, but Portugal's firepower could prove decisive in the game.
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Swati is a content producer for The Sporting News, working across English-language editions.
