Context, H2H, key battles, predicted line-ups

By Tom Canton


Published: June 14, 2021 7:18 am

Last Updated: June 14, 2021 7:40 am

Scotland vs Czech Republic: Context

Without a doubt the most important fixture of the group stage for both of these nations. Both Scotland and the Czech Republic will be identifying this match as the must win game for hope of progression.

Should either or both fail to take maximum points, the threat of facing England and Croatia needing wins in both will be a very tough ask.

Scotland go into the tournament buoyed by the confidence of Steve Clarke having found the perfect system to fit both of his star left backs in the team.

Meanwhile the Czech Republic are encouraged by the excellent seasons of West Ham pair Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Tomas Soucek of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United at Anfield on February 24, 2020 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Scotland vs Czech Republic: Head-to-head

Scotland go into the game as outright favourites much down to the recent success they have had of the Czech side.

The pair were both in the same Nations League group in 2020 and Steve Clarke’s men won both matches 1-0 and 2-1. Their meeting prior to that was also a victory for Scotland in 2016 in a friendly.

Prior to this however, Scotland won just once in their previous 5 meetings. A much better Czech Republic side took the win in the other 4.

However, it does seem that the tide has turned at just the right time for Scotland.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – NOVEMBER 20: Ryan Fraser of Scotland runs with the ball during the UEFA Nations League C group one match between Scotland and Israel at Hampden Park on November 20, 2018 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Scotland vs Czech Republic: Key battles

The middle of the park will see two Premier League heavyweights in the aforementioned Soucek and Manchester United’s Scott McTominay clash. Both physical players who have a knack of scoring goals could define the middle third territory.

Meanwhile, further EPL battles will take place on the flank. Kieran Tierney playing in the left-centre back role with Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson in a wing-back position will face Coufal. All three like to get forward but Tierney’s more reserved role for his national team could see Coufal outnumbered and restricted in his own forays forward.

The Czech Republic do have a focal point in Patrik Schick and the 3-man Scotland defence will need to be wary of his ability in the air and movement as he looks to break Scottish hearts.

Patrik Schick of Red Bull Leipzig during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Red Bull Leipzig and Tottenham Hotspur FC at the Red Bull Arena on March 10, 2020 in Leipzig, Germany(Photo by ANP Sport via Getty Images)

Scotland vs Czech Republic: The subplots

Andrew Robertson is all too familiar with the quality in the Czech Republic side. He has even been heard directly mentioning the EPL duo leading up to the match.

“I’ve played against Soucek and Coufal from West Ham and I know how good they are, they’re full of quality,” Robertson said.

Robertson has history with striker Patrik Schick. The pair were involved in the Champions League’s highest scoring knockout tie. An aggregate score of 7-6 saw the Reds squeeze through after a late Roma comeback threatened to spoil the party.

Robertson would see his Liverpool side fall in the next round, the final, and watch Real Madrid lift the trophy. However, he would only need to wait another year before lifting the silverware himself.

WATFORD, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 24: Andy Robertson of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Liverpool FC at Vicarage Road on November 24, 2018 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)

Scotland vs Czech Republic: Predicted line-ups

Scotland: Marshall, Cooper, Hanley, Tierney, Fraser, McTominay, McGregor, McGinn, Robertson, Christie, Adams

Scotland predicted line-up to play Czech Republic.

Czech Republic: Vaclik, Coufal, Brabec, Celustka, Boril, Kral, Soucek, Darida, Masopust, Jankto, Schick

Czech Republic predicted team to play Scotland.

Also see

Scotland vs Czech Republic live streaming: Watch Euro 2020 online, TV channel and listen on radio

Scotland vs Czech Republic betting tips: Preview, predictions & odds

This article was edited by
Benjamin Newman.

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Premier League table

#	Team	MP	D	P
1	Manchester City FC	38	51	86
2	Manchester United FC	38	29	74
3	Liverpool FC	38	26	69
4	Chelsea FC	38	22	67
5	Leicester City FC	38	18	66
6	West Ham United FC	38	15	65
7	Tottenham Hotspur FC	38	23	62
8	Arsenal FC	38	16	61
9	Leeds United	38	8	59
10	Everton FC	38	-1	59
11	Aston Villa FC	38	9	55
12	Newcastle United FC	38	-16	45
13	Wolverhampton Wanderers FC	38	-16	45
14	Crystal Palace FC	38	-25	44
15	Southampton FC	38	-21	43
16	Brighton & Hove Albion FC	38	-6	41
17	Burnley FC	38	-22	39
18	Fulham FC	38	-26	28
19	West Bromwich Albion	38	-41	26
20	Sheffield United FC	38	-43	23

Player	Team	Goals
Kane, Harry	Tottenham Hotspur FC	23
Salah, Mohamed	Liverpool FC	22
Fernandes, Bruno	Manchester United FC	17
Son, Heung Min	Tottenham Hotspur FC	17
Bamford, Patrick	Leeds United	17
Calvert-Lewin, Dominic	Everton FC	16
Vardy, Jamie	Leicester City FC	15
Watkins, Ollie	Aston Villa FC	14
Gundogan, Ilkay	Manchester City FC	13
Lacazette, Alexandre	Arsenal FC	13
Wilson, Callum	Newcastle United FC	12
Ings, Danny	Southampton FC	12
Wood, Chris	Burnley FC	12
Iheanacho, Kelechi	Leicester City FC	12
Rashford, Marcus	Manchester United FC	11
Mane, Sadio	Liverpool FC	11
Pereira, Matheus	West Bromwich Albion	11
Bale, Gareth	Tottenham Hotspur FC	11
Zaha, Wilfried	Crystal Palace FC	11
Sterling, Raheem	Manchester City FC	10

Player	Team	Red Cards	Yellow Cards
McGinn, John	Aston Villa FC	0	12
Gallagher, Conor	West Bromwich Albion	0	11
Maguire, Harry	Manchester United FC	0	11
Phillips, Kalvin	Leeds United	0	10
Hojbjerg, Pierre	Tottenham Hotspur FC	0	9
Milivojevic, Luka	Crystal Palace FC	1	8
Lundstram, John	Sheffield United FC	1	8
Luiz, Douglas	Aston Villa FC	0	8
Holgate, Mason	Everton FC	0	9
Bissouma, Yves	Brighton & Hove Albion FC	1	8
Soucek, Tomas	West Ham United FC	1	7
Shaw, Luke	Manchester United FC	0	8
Xhaka, Granit	Arsenal FC	1	7
Bellerin, Hector	Arsenal FC	0	8
Andersen, Joachim	Fulham FC	1	7
Egan, John	Sheffield United FC	1	7
Hayden, Isaac	Newcastle United FC	0	8
Dallas, Stuart	Leeds United	0	7
McGoldrick, David	Sheffield United FC	0	7
Reid, Bobby	Fulham FC	0	7

Player	Team	Assists
Kane, Harry	Tottenham Hotspur FC	14
Fernandes, Bruno	Manchester United FC	12
De Bruyne, Kevin	Manchester City FC	11
Son, Heung Min	Tottenham Hotspur FC	10
Grealish, Jack	Aston Villa FC	10
Rashford, Marcus	Manchester United FC	9
Raphinha	Leeds United	9
Vardy, Jamie	Leicester City FC	8
Mane, Sadio	Liverpool FC	8
Harrison, Jack	Leeds United	8
Werner, Timo	Chelsea FC	8
Gross, Pascal	Brighton & Hove Albion FC	8
Cresswell, Aaron	West Ham United FC	8
Pereira, Matheus	West Bromwich Albion	7
Sterling, Raheem	Manchester City FC	7
Firmino, Roberto	Liverpool FC	7
Ward-Prowse, James	Southampton FC	7
Eze, Eberechi	Crystal Palace FC	7
Alexander-Arnold, Trent	Liverpool FC	7
Robertson, Andrew	Liverpool FC	7