Scotland set to continue perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying with Norway clash
Scotland will be looking to continue their perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying with a crucial match against Norway on Saturday, June 17. Steve Clarke’s men are currently sitting at the top of Group A following opening wins over Cyprus and 2010 World Cup winners Spain. The Tartan Army swept Cyprus aside 3-0 before securing one of their biggest results in recent years with a 2-0 victory over La Roja.
Norway, on the other hand, have already lost to Spain before a draw with Georgia and know that defeat against Scotland may end their hopes of reaching Euro 2024. Scotland already have a five-point gap over Norway in the race to finish in the top two qualification spots.
Squads and team news
The headline news for the hosts is that star striker Erling Haaland is available despite his treble-winning triumphs with Manchester City. Scotland, however, will be without both Norwich defender Grant Hanley and Southampton forward Che Adams through injury.
Norway’s squad includes Orjan Nyland, Jacob Karlstrom, Egil Selvik as goalkeepers, Stian Gregersen, Stefan Strandberg, Birger Meling, Julian Ryerson, Leo Ostigard, Frederik Andre Bjorkan, Andreas Hanche-Olsen, Marcus Pedersen as defenders, Morten Thorsby, Patrick Berg, Sander Berge, Martin Odegaard, Fredrik Aursnes, Hugo Vetlesen, Mats Moller Daehli as midfielders, and Ola Brynhildsen, Ola Solbakken, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Kristian Thorstvedt, Alexander Sorloth, Jorgen Larsen, Erling Haaland as forwards.
Scotland’s squad includes Zander Clark, Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly as goalkeepers, Liam Cooper, Jack Hendry, Aaron Hickey, Dominic Hyam, Nathan Patterson, Ryan Porteous, Anthony Ralston, Andy Robertson, John Souttar, Greg Taylor, Kieran Tierney as defenders, Stuart Armstrong, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson, Ryan Jack, John McGinn, Callum McGregor, Kenny McLean, Scott McTominay as midfielders, and Ryan Christie, Lyndon Dykes, Kevin Nisbet, Lawrence Shankland as forwards.
TalkSPORT coverage
TalkSPORT 2 will have live coverage of the game from the Ullevaal Stadion, with kick-off scheduled for 5 pm UK time. Commentary will come from Joe Shennan and former Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam. To tune in to TalkSPORT or TalkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the TalkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Match facts
Scotland’s Scott McTominay has scored a brace in his last two appearances for the Scots, having only netted one goal in his first 37 caps. The last Scotland player to score two or more goals in three appearances in a row was Hughie Gallacher between October 1929 and May 1930.
Norway’s Alexander Sørloth has scored five goals in his last six appearances in European Championship qualifying, netting their opening goal in March against Georgia, so far their only goal in this campaign.
Scotland have suffered just three defeats in their last 18 matches in all competitions (W12 D3), keeping ten clean sheets across these games. They had lost three of their four games before this run (D1).
In all competitions, Norway have lost three of their last six games (W1 D2), having lost just one of their previous 13 (W8 D4). Their current seven-game run without a clean sheet is their worst since an 11-game stretch between May 2016 and June 2017.
Scotland have won their first two Euro 2024 qualifying matches, beating Cyprus and Spain. They last won their opening three qualifying games for a major tournament in Euro 2008 qualifying, under Walter Smith.
Norway have won just four of their last 16 European Championship qualifiers (D6 L6), with all four wins coming against the Faroe Islands (2) and Malta (2).
Scotland have only lost three of their previous 18 meetings with Norway (W9 D6), losing 4-3 in June 1963, 1-0 in October 2004 and 4-0 in August 2009. The last meeting between Norway and Scotland was back in November 2013 in a friendly, with the Scots winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from Scott Brown.
Conclusion
Scotland will be looking to continue their perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying with a crucial match against Norway on Saturday, June 17. With a five-point gap over Norway in the race to finish in the top two qualification spots, Scotland will be hoping to secure another win to strengthen their position at the top of Group A. TalkSPORT will have live coverage of the game from the Ullevaal Stadion, with kick-off scheduled for 5 pm UK time.