Scotland v Spain: Talking points ahead of Hampden clash

ICYMI | Relive the action from Saturday with our #ScotlandHQ View highlights 🎥 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿#SCOESP pic.twitter.com/GaDYOaenTm

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 27, 2023

Clarke started with a 3-4-3 formation with attacking midfielders Stuart Armstrong and McGinn supporting Che Adams.

Callum McGregor is a fixture in the holding midfield area so if there is any change to the more defensive-minded playmakers then it likely that Ryan Jack will make way for McTominay, who is 8/1 to be on target again.

Che Adams to be replaced by Lyndon Dykes?

The Southampton attacker dropped out of the squad with a calf knock picked up against Cyprus and Clarke admitted the loss was a “blow”.

Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland was drafted in as a replacement on Sunday but will almost certainly start on the bench.

Clarke also has Ryan Christie and Jacob Brown in his squad but Dykes, recently recovered from a debilitating bout of pneumonia, took over from Adams on Saturday and is likely to start against Spain.

The QPR striker has scored eight times in 27 international games – including winners against the likes of Slovakia, Moldova and Austria – but a goal against the Spanish would endear him further to the Tartan Army.

Dykes is seen as the most likely home goalscorer at 3/1 in the Scotland v Spain betting odds and is 8/1 to open the scoring.

Does Clarke play three at the back again?

Defence will be key to a positive result against Spain. Clarke played three centre-backs against Cyprus – Ryan Porteous, Grant Hanley and Kieran Tierney – which allowed him to use the Arsenal defender along with captain Andrew Robertson.

All focus on tomorrow 💪

🔜 🇪🇸#SCOESP pic.twitter.com/3GkYZInvBx

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 27, 2023

The former Kilmarnock, Reading and West Brom manager may well be pondering a return to a back four against Spain but would that include Tierney as one of the two centre-backs?

Moreover, will Clarke be tempted to replace the youngest member of the squad, 20-year-old Aaron Hickey, who had a fine game at right-back against Cyprus, with Nathan Patterson who was his replacement after 79 minutes on Saturday?

Under 2.5 goals can be backed at 8/11 while a goalless first half is 31/20.

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication