Portugal v Scotland tips: Tartan Army woes grow in 22/1 Bet Builder

Scotland are up against it already in their Nations League group after coming back from two goals down only to blow it in injury time against Poland, giving away a last-gasp penalty to lose 3-2 in injury time on Thursday. It doesn’t get any easier for Steve Clarke’s crew and it’s Portugal v Scotland next up on Sunday evening.

Do they have any hope of getting off the mark here? Our tipster Shane O’Brien has already lost hope but he’s got his eyes fixed on a Bet Builder that will hopefully play on what could be a long night for the Tartan Army.

Portugal v Scotland tips

Over 3.5 goals
Grant Hanley to commit 1+ more fouls
Scotland goalkeeper to make 4+ saves
Over 7.5 Portugal corners

A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 22/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.

WHEN: Sunday 8th of September, 7.45pm
WHERE: Estádio do Benfica
TV: ITV4,ITVX and STV Player

Over 3.5 goals

Scotland pretty much beat themselves against Poland on Thursday night, fighting their way back from two goals down only to concede a needless penalty deep into second-half injury time. Their chances of survival probably rested on beating Poland and Croatia at home and they now must come up with a big away result at some stage if they are to avoid finishing bottom of the group.

In all likelihood, that away result is not going to come against Portugal on Sunday. Scotland have won just once since September – a friendly victory against Gibraltar – and have conceded 17 goals in their last seven competitive games.

Their record against the elite nations is even worse. In the last 12 months, Scotland faced off against six teams that went on to reach the last eight of the Euros, conceding a whopping 19 goals in the process.

Portugal are one of the two Euros quarter-finalists that Scotland have not faced recently but could easily inflict similar damage on Steve Clarke’s side on Sunday. Scotland may grab a consolation goal of their own, with Portugal conceding seven goals in their last five home games, but Sunday could end up being something of a rout.

Grant Hanley to commit 1+ more fouls

It was Grand Hanley who conceded that needless stoppage time penalty on Thursday night, condemning Scotland to that damaging opening defeat. Hanley ranked joint-second among Scotland’s most persistent foulers at the Euros, averaging 1.3 fouls per game in Germany and it would be far from surprising if he were to commit at least one on Sunday night.

Scotland committed 13 fouls in that loss against Poland and are likely to rack up a similar number against Portugal, if not more. Portugal will dominate both possession and territory and Scotland’s defenders will have to cope with a wide array of fleet-footed Portuguese attackers, the majority of whom know how to draw a foul. Hanley would be doing very well not to commit at least one on Sunday.

Scotland goalkeeper to make 4+ saves

Poland only had three shots on target in Thursday’s win at Hampden Park. They scored with all three of them. That obviously means that Angus Gunn didn’t make any saves on Thursday night, but he should be kept busy on Sunday.

Portugal have recorded 36 shots on target in their last five home games and should logically match that average of seven shots on target per game against a Scotland side that has been leaking goals for the best part of a year.

Gunn will be busy between the sticks on Sunday but should at least register a few saves on this occasion, such will be the volume of Portuguese shots.

Over 7.5 Portugal corners

Assuming Portugal do pepper the Scottish goal with shots on Sunday, then there is a very good chance that they will win a high number of corners too. Portugal’s corner count has almost exactly matched their total shots on target in their last five home games, with Roberto Martinez’s side recording 34 corners in home outings against Ireland, Finland, Sweden and Croatia (twice).

Scotland represent somewhat similar opposition to most of the teams that Portugal have faced at home this year and the game should unfold in a similar fashion, with Portugal dictating the play and Scotland trying to dig in. With that in mind, Portugal are good value to win at least eight corners on Sunday.