Scotland vs Greece & Ireland vs Bulgaria Previews

**🏴⚽ Scotland vs. Greece & 🇮🇪🔥 Republic of Ireland vs. Bulgaria: Match Previews, Predictions, and Key Stats You Can’t Miss!**

International football is back with a bang as Scotland and the Republic of Ireland gear up for thrilling clashes against Greece and Bulgaria, respectively. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, this deep dive into tactics, lineups, stats, and predictions will keep you hooked! Let’s break down these exciting fixtures.

### **🇬🇷🏴 Scotland vs. Greece: A Battle of Resilience and Strategy**

**🏟️ Venue:** Hampden Park, Glasgow

**📺 How to Watch:** Sky Sports Main Event / UEFA.tv

#### **Expected Lineups**

Scotland’s **Steve Clarke** is likely to stick with his trusted 3-5-2 formation, blending defensive grit and creative flair:

- **GK:** Angus Gunn

- **Defense:** Jack Hendry, Grant Hanley, Kieran Tierney

- **Midfield:** Andy Robertson (C), Scott McTominay, Callum McGregor, John McGinn, Aaron Hickey

- **Attack:** Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes

Greece, under manager **Gus Poyet**, may opt for a 4-3-3 setup to counter Scotland’s width:

- **GK:** Odysseas Vlachodimos

- **Defense:** George Baldock, Dinos Mavropanos, Pantelis Hatzidiakos, Kostas Tsimikas

- **Midfield:** Petros Mantalos, Dimitrios Kourbelis, Tasos Bakasetas (C)

- **Attack:** Giorgos Masouras, Vangelis Pavlidis, Fotis Ioannidis

#### **🌟 Key Players to Watch**

- **John McGinn (Scotland):** The Aston Villa dynamo has 5 goals in his last 7 internationals.

- **Kostas Tsimikas (Greece):** Liverpool’s “Greek Scouser” can wreak havoc on the left flank.

- **Che Adams (Scotland):** Southampton’s striker is crucial for turning half-chances into goals.

#### **📊 Head-to-Head Stats & Form**

- **Last 5 Meetings:** Scotland edge it with 2 wins, Greece 1, and 2 draws.

- **Scotland’s Form:** Unbeaten in 4 games (3 wins, 1 draw), scoring 9 goals.

- **Greece’s Form:** Mixed bag – 2 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw in their last 5.

**⚡ Key Stats:**

- Scotland averages 1.8 goals per game in 2024.

- Greece has kept just **2 clean sheets** in their last 10 away fixtures.

- **Set-Piece Threat:** 40% of Scotland’s goals come from dead-ball situations.

#### **🔮 Prediction: Scotland 2-1 Greece**

Expect a tightly contested match! Scotland’s home advantage and set-piece prowess could overpower Greece’s shaky defense. McGinn or Adams to be the difference-maker.

### **🇮🇪💚 Republic of Ireland vs. Bulgaria: A Fresh Start Under New Leadership?**

**🏟️ Venue:** Aviva Stadium, Dublin

**📺 How to Watch:** Premier Sports / UEFA.tv

#### **Expected Lineups**

Ireland’s **interim manager** (assumed post-Stephen Kenny era) might deploy a 4-2-3-1 to balance youth and experience:

- **GK:** Gavin Bazunu

- **Defense:** Seamus Coleman (C), Nathan Collins, Dara O’Shea, Matt Doherty

- **Midfield:** Josh Cullen, Jayson Molumby

- **Attack:** Chiedozie Ogbene, Jason Knight, Michael Obafemi

- **ST:** Evan Ferguson

Bulgaria, still rebuilding, could line up in a defensive 5-4-1:

- **GK:** Ivan Karadzhov

- **Defense:** Anton Nedyalkov, Valentin Antov, Alex Petkov, Viktor Popov, Ilia Gruev

- **Midfield:** Kiril Despodov (C), Ivaylo Chochev, Georgi Kostadinov, Spas Delev

- **ST:** Andrian Kraev

#### **🌟 Key Players to Watch**

- **Evan Ferguson (Ireland):** Brighton’s teenage sensation has 4 goals in 10 caps.

- **Kiril Despodov (Bulgaria):** The captain and main creative outlet with 3 assists in 2024.

- **Gavin Bazunu (Ireland):** Southampton’s keeper has 3 clean sheets in his last 5 games.

#### **📊 Recent Form & Stats**

- **Ireland’s Form:** Struggling with 1 win in their last 8 games.

- **Bulgaria’s Form:** Equally poor – winless in 12 matches (6 losses, 6 draws).

- **Historical Edge:** Ireland has won 4 of their last 6 clashes against Bulgaria.

**⚡ Key Stats:**

- Ireland averages just **0.6 goals per game** in 2024.

- Bulgaria has conceded **18 goals** in their last 5 away fixtures.

- **Youth Revolution:** Ireland’s starting XI averages 24 years – youngest in a decade!

#### **🔮 Prediction: Republic of Ireland 2-0 Bulgaria**

A golden chance for Ireland to rebuild confidence! Ferguson’s clinical edge and Bulgaria’s defensive frailty point to a home win.

### **🔑 Tactical Takeaways**

1. **Scotland’s Wing-Backs:** Robertson and Hickey’s overlapping runs could stretch Greece’s defense.

2. **Greece’s Counter-Attacks:** Pavlidis’ pace on the break is a threat to Scotland’s high line.

3. **Ireland’s Midfield Battle:** Cullen and Molumby must dominate to feed Ferguson.

4. **Bulgaria’s Low Block:** Breaking their 5-4-1 will require Ireland’s wingers to stay patient.

### **🎯 Why These Matches Matter**

- **Scotland:** Building momentum ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers. A win here could boost FIFA rankings.

- **Greece:** Testing new tactics under Poyet for Nations League success.

- **Ireland:** A morale-boosting victory to kickstart their post-Kenny era.

- **Bulgaria:** Desperate to end a 12-game winless streak.

- **Ireland’s Young Guns:** Evan Ferguson is the future of Irish football.

- **Defensive Woes:** Greece and Bulgaria’s leaky backlines under scrutiny.

- **Predictions:** Narrow wins for Scotland and Ireland.

L### **🗣️ Fan Corner: What’s Your Take?**

Will Scotland’s set-piece mastery outsmart Greece? Can Ireland’s youngsters finally shine? **Drop your predictions below!** 👇

**🔥 Final Thought:** These friendlies are more than just warm-ups – they’re a glimpse into tactical evolutions and emerging stars. Don’t miss the action!