Match Overview

The sixth-round fixture in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, featuring Belarus and Scotland, is scheduled for September 8 at the ZTE Arena in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary. Here’s our comprehensive preview, including a detailed prediction, betting insights, current odds, and key statistics for the Belarus vs. Scotland encounter.

Belarus Team Analysis

Belarus’ Current Form

In their previous match, Carlos Alos’s squad failed to offer any significant resistance to Greece, suffering a 1:5 away defeat. This marks Belarus’s eighth consecutive loss in World Cup qualifiers. Notably, they managed to find the net only for the second time during this dismal streak. Currently, the Belarusian team holds no points and occupies the last position in their group’s standings.

Key Statistics for Belarus

• The team has lost in regular time in 5 out of their last 6 home World Cup qualifying matches.
• The national team conceded at least two goals within 90 minutes in 5 of their last 6 home European qualifiers.
• At least three goals were scored in regular time in 5 out of Belarus’s last 7 home World Cup qualifying games.

Projected Belarus Lineup (4-5-1)*

Fedor Lapoukhov – Vadim Pigas, Aleksandr Martynovich, Pavel Zabelin, Kirill Pechenin – Yuri Kovalev, Max Ebong, Nikita Korzun, Evgeny Yablonsky, Valeri Gromyko – Trofim Melnichenko.

Scotland Team Analysis

Scotland’s Current Form

In their opening match of the current qualifying tournament, Steve Clarke’s side drew 0:0 with Denmark in an away fixture. Consequently, Scotland has failed to secure a victory in their second consecutive World Cup qualifying match, after previously enjoying a six-game winning streak. Despite this, the national team successfully kept a clean sheet for the fourth time in their last five European qualifying matches. In the standings, Scotland and Denmark share second and third place, both with one point.

Key Statistics for Scotland

• The national team has avoided defeat in regular time in 7 of their last 8 away World Cup qualifying matches (4 wins, 3 draws).
• No more than two goals were scored in 90 minutes in six previous away European qualifying games involving the team.
• Scotland scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in regular time in 5 of their last 7 away World Cup qualifying matches.

Projected Scotland Lineup (4-5-1)*

Angus Gunn – Aaron Hickey, John Souttar, Grant Hanley, Andrew Robertson – Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, Scott McTominay, Lyndon Dykes, John McGinn – Che Adams.

Team News: Scotland Injuries

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon has not been called up to the national team due to injury. Defender Kieran Tierney is also out of the squad due to an injury.

Referee Overview

Referee Profile

Nikola Dabanovic (Montenegro)

Referee Statistics

Matches officiated – 13 (International fixtures, 2024/25);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 41;

Average yellow cards per match – 3.1;

Red cards shown – 2;

Average fouls per match – 22;

Penalties awarded – 8%.

Belarus vs Scotland Match Prediction

Belarus’ Home Performance

Even on home turf, Belarus rarely manages to perform at their best in official matches. A primary concern for the team is a lack of attacking threat: in their last nine home World Cup qualifying encounters, Belarus scored more than once on only three occasions. Furthermore, in four of these matches, the team failed to find the net at all.

Scotland’s Away Strategy

When playing away, Scotland tends to adopt a reliable, cautious approach, avoiding unnecessary risks. This style of play helps them limit scoring opportunities for their opponents: in 6 of their last 8 away European qualifiers, the national team conceded no more than one goal. Moreover, Scotland has kept a clean sheet in their last four away World Cup qualifying matches. However, their attacking play is not particularly prolific, with the team scoring a maximum of one goal in 5 of their last 6 away World Cup qualifiers.

Final Prediction

I anticipate a low-scoring match, therefore my prediction is: “Total Under 2.5 goals” with odds of 1.70

Note on Lineups

* The starting lineup for each team represents their formation in their last match in this tournament.