Match Overview and Preview

The 8th-round qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will see Scotland face Belarus on October 12 at Hampden Park in Glasgow. This preview offers a detailed prediction, betting tips, current odds, and key statistics for the Scotland vs Belarus encounter.

Scotland’s Current Form

Steve Clarke’s squad secured a hard-fought comeback victory against Greece in their last home fixture (3:1). This impressive result marked Scotland’s eighth win in their last ten World Cup qualifying matches, notably keeping a clean sheet in six of those encounters. Furthermore, it was the first time in seven previous World Cup qualifying matches that the national team managed to score more than two goals. The Scots have now accumulated seven points, placing them second in their group, trailing Denmark only on goal difference.

Key Statistics for Scotland

• The national team has remained unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 home World Cup qualifiers (9 wins, 3 draws).
• Scotland has scored at least two goals in 5 of their last 7 home World Cup qualifying matches.
• The team has found the net in the second half in 12 of their last 13 home World Cup qualifiers.

Scotland’s Probable Starting Lineup (4-3-3)

Angus Gunn – Anthony Ralston, John Souttar, Grant Hanley, Andrew Robertson – John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour – Che Adams, Ben Doak, Kieran Tierney.

Scotland Team News: Injuries and Suspensions

Defender Aaron Hickey is sidelined due to injury. Midfielders Lewis Ferguson and Ryan Christie will miss the match due to suspension.

Belarus’s Recent Performance

In their previous outing, Carlos Alos’s team suffered a crushing defeat against Denmark in a home match (0:6). This result extends Belarus’s losing streak in World Cup qualifiers to ten consecutive matches. In three of their last four qualifiers, the team has been defeated by a margin of at least four goals. Moreover, this was only the second time in their history that Belarus conceded more than five goals in an official international fixture. Belarus currently sits at the bottom of the group standings, having failed to secure any points so far.

Key Statistics for Belarus

• The national team has lost their last 14 consecutive away matches in World Cup qualifiers.
• Belarus has conceded at least two goals in 6 of their last 8 away World Cup qualifying matches.
• The Belarusian team has failed to score in the second half in 7 of their last 9 away World Cup qualifiers.

Belarus’s Probable Starting Lineup (5-3-2)

Fedor Lapoukhov – Vadim Pigas, Aleksandr Martynovich, Egor Parkhomenko, Pavel Zabelin, Kirill Pechenin – Nikita Korzun, Evgeni Yablonsky, Max Ebong – Trofim Melnichenko, German Barkovsky.

Match Official

Referee for Scotland vs Belarus

Marian Barbu (Romania)

Referee Statistics (International Matches, 2024/25–2025/26)

Matches officiated – 13;

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 40;

Average yellow cards per match – 3.1;

Red cards shown – 1;

Average fouls per match – 25;

Penalties awarded – 31%.

Scotland vs Belarus Match Prediction

Steve Clarke’s squad is enjoying a successful run in this qualifying campaign and will be eager to boost their chances of World Cup qualification in their home fixture against Belarus. Scotland consistently performs well at home, often securing maximum points: in their last nine home World Cup qualifiers, the team has only failed to win twice (1 draw, 1 loss). Furthermore, in 7 of their last 10 home World Cup qualifying matches, the team has scored at least two goals.

Conversely, Belarus is clearly the underdog of the group, having suffered three defeats in the current qualifiers with an aggregate score of 1:13. Their away record is particularly dismal, marked by 14 consecutive losses in World Cup qualifiers. Moreover, in just their last six away World Cup qualifying encounters, the Belarusians have conceded a staggering 23 goals.

I anticipate a confident victory for Scotland and expect a high-scoring game. My prediction is “Scotland to Win and Over 2.5 Goals” with odds of 1.60