90min

Serbia vs Scotland Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time, Team News

By Daniel Feliciano

Scotland travel to Serbia for a Euro 2020 finals playoff
Scotland travel to Serbia for a Euro 2020 finals playoff / ANDY BUCHANAN/Getty Images
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Scotland make the trip across Europe to take on Serbia in a Euro 2020 playoff as both sides look to qualify for the tournament proper.

Following wins over Israel and Norway last month respectively, both teams come into this fixture full of confidence and hopeful of ending 20+ years away from the European Championship.

Where to Watch

Serbia celebrating following their win over Norway last month
Serbia celebrating following their win over Norway last month / FREDRIK VARFJELL/Getty Images

When is kick off? Thursday 12 November
What time is kick off? 19:45 (GMT)
Where is it played? Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade
TV Channel/Live Stream: Sky Sports Football (UK)
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lohoz

Team News

For the biggest game both sides have competed in this century, the coaches have near full strength sides to choose from.

Milinkovic-Savic has travelled despite travel restrictions from Italy due to COVID-19
Milinkovic-Savic has travelled despite travel restrictions from Italy due to COVID-19 / Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images

The Serbs were fearful that they could be missing up to six players from their squad following international restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It's since been announced that Aleksandar Kolarov, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Nikola Milenkovic and Dusan Vlahovic have all linked up with the squad and are available.

They will be without Sassuolo's attacking midfielder Filip Djuricic who has tested positive for COVID-19, while Werder Bremen's Milos Veljkovic is also absent.

Scotland will be without winger Ryan Fraser, who picked up an injury playing for Newcastle at the weekend, while defender Grant Hanley also withdrew from the squad due to injury. Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay is likely to continue his role as a third centre-back for the national team.

Predicted Lineups

Serbia: Dmitrov; Milenkovic, Paviovic, Kolarov; Lazovic, Maksimovic, Gudelj, Ristic; Tadic, Milinkovic-Savic; Mitrovic

Scotland: Marshall; Tierney, McKenna, McTominay; Robertson, McGregor, Jack, McGinn, O'Donnell; Dykes, Christie

McTominay will look to carry his club form over to country
McTominay will look to carry his club form over to country / Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Prediction

On paper, Serbia should run away with this game. They have more quality all over the pitch and in a one-off game you'd expect that they would put the Scots to the sword.

Fortunately for Scotland and manager Steve Clarke, football isn't played on paper. They are currently on their longest unbeaten run since 1989 and are brimming with confidence coming up against a team that has underwhelmed on the pitch.

Serbia's attacking trident should prove too much for Scotland's defence
Serbia's attacking trident should prove too much for Scotland's defence / Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images

Scotland's high energy and defensive strength will be a great match for Serbia overall but the individual quality on the pitch is usually what separates these tight affairs. With the attacking trident of Tadic, Milinkovic-Savic and Mitrovic they have goals in their attack and it will get the Serbs over the line and into their first Euros since the country formed part of Yugoslavia.

Prediction: Serbia 1-0 Scotland