North Macedonia v Scotland preview: Pocognoli chases first win and an end to the goal drought
North Macedonia v Scotland preview: Sebastien Pocognoli's side need a goal and a first win in Skopje, with Jack Hendry suspended.
North Macedonia v Scotland in Skopje tonight is about one thing for Sebastien Pocognoli: ending a goal drought that has already gone four games.
Main photo: kallerna / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Nations League B Group A match kicks off at 7.45pm UK time at the Toše Proeski National Arena. France’s François Letexier is the referee.
Pocognoli is still waiting for his first win as Scotland head coach. His reign began with a goalless draw in Slovenia, followed by a 3-0 home defeat by Switzerland at Hampden on Tuesday. That leaves Scotland on one point from two games and without a goal in four straight matches. According to The Scotsman, it is their worst scoring run since 1971, and failing to score in the first 25 minutes tonight would make it the longest goalless spell in the nation’s history.
North Macedonia v Scotland: team news
Jack Hendry is suspended after his early red card against Switzerland, when he brought down Dan Ndoye. Playing with ten men for almost 80 minutes left Scotland chasing shadows, and Pocognoli was forced to sacrifice Kieron Bowie after just 14 minutes to bring on Stephen Welsh.
Welsh is now expected to start in Hendry’s place in a back three alongside Scott McKenna, who has played every minute of this window, and Luis Binks, who impressed on his debut. Angus Gunn is expected to keep his place in goal despite criticism after the Swiss defeat. Up to three changes are reportedly planned.
Hosts in trouble too
North Macedonia have had an even worse start. They lost 3-0 at home to Switzerland and 2-0 in Ljubljana against Slovenia, and are bottom of the group without a point or a goal. Something has to give tonight.
| Group B-A | P | Pts | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Slovenia | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Scotland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| North Macedonia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Why this game matters for Pocognoli
Switzerland and Slovenia meet in Lucerne at the same time, so Scotland have a chance to close the gap on at least one of the teams above them. Defeat, though, would leave them staring at a relegation fight. Scotland host Slovenia at Hampden on Tuesday.
Other home nations have found ways to win this window, including the late show when Northern Ireland won in Georgia with a 99th-minute goal. Their next test was the subject of our Ukraine v Northern Ireland preview, while the scramble for early points also featured in our Belgium v Türkiye preview.
Scottish football has had a testing few weeks off the pitch too: our sister site DGBN reported that Celtic and Rangers must play their next home Scottish Cup ties behind closed doors.
