Scotland v Ukraine: Talking points ahead of Hampden showdown

Scotland face Ukraine at Hampden on Wednesday for the second time in less than four months.

The UEFA Nations League match is one of two meetings between the teams over the course of the next seven days.

Here are some of the talking points and Scotland v Ukraine betting tips ahead of the game.

Chance to make amends

Scotland fell well short of recent performance levels when they faced Ukraine at Hampden in June’s World Cup play-off semi-final. The home side were outplayed in the first half and went 2-0 down shortly after half-time and still took time to fight back before eventually going down 3-1.

Most of Ukraine’s players had not played a competitive game in months but they looked sharper than a Scotland team who struggled to get going after a long season. Ukraine looked a classy outfit in the summer and look good value as 9/5 underdogs but Scotland will surely be better this time around and are 33/20 for a home win.

Tierney returns

The Arsenal defender’s absence following knee surgery was keenly felt in June, when Scotland also went down to a 3-0 Nations League defeat in Dublin. Steve Clarke devised his formation to fit Tierney and fellow left-back Andy Robertson in the same team and the three-at-the-back system does not work nearly as well when the former Celtic hero is missing.

With Robertson injured, Clarke has the option of putting Tierney in at wing-back as a straight swap or inserting him into the back line. Greg Taylor and left-footed right-back Aaron Hickey are options at wing-back.

The Scotland boss might potentially opt for a back four as Scotland improved in the play-off when he put an extra man in midfield.