Preview: Spain vs. Scotland – Team news and prediction

Scotland has surprised everyone in this qualification, securing maximum points after 5 matches (15 points). Spain has played only 4 matches and has 9 points, making this a must-win game if they want to catch up with Scotland. In the first encounter in Scotland, the Scots won 2-0, where Spain struggled to match the physicality and intensity brought by the Scots.

Norway is the closest pursuer to the two teams, with 7 points, and they are likely hoping that Scotland can pull off a surprise to help them close the gap with Spain. If Scotland secures a victory or even just a draw in tonight's match, it will take a lot to prevent them from finishing in the top 2. A win for Spain, on the other hand, would put them in a very strong position for qualification to the summer's European Championship.

Spain form in all competitions:
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Scotland form in all competitions: 
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Team news: 
Lamine Yamal, the young prodigy from Barcelona, has withdrawn from the national team squad due to a minor injury. He joins Yeremy Pino, Dani Olmo, Pedri, Marco Asensio, and Jose Gaya, all of whom are sidelined with injuries.
Bryan Zaragoza and Ansu Fati have been brought in as replacements, but they are not expected to be part of the Spanish starting 11. Morata has found his goal-scoring form at Atletico Madrid and comes into tonight's match with great confidence.

Ryan Jack, Kevin Nisbet, and Kieran Tierney are out with injuries compared to the last national team squad. With Tierney unavailable, it could mean that Andy Robertson is once again deployed at left-back instead of in the center of the defense, where he has played in recent matches. Scotland's most dangerous player in the qualification, Scott McTominay, hasn't seen much playing time for Manchester United, but with two late goals in the victory against Brentford, he enters this match with great confidence.

Spain expected lineup:
Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Balde; Merino, Rodri, Gavi; Torres, Morata, N. Williams

Scotland expected lineup: 
Gunn; Porteous, Hendry, Cooper; Hickey, Gilmour, McGregor, Robertson; McTominay, McGinn; Adams

Prediction: 
Spain is on paper, significant favorites for this match. However, we believe they have been made too big favorites when considering the current standings and the first encounter between the two teams. Scotland has scored in all their qualification matches so far, and we also believe they will find the net against Spain. Therefore, we suggest both teams to score at odds of 2.20. 

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