Scotland look to consolidate at Hampden Park
Scotland arrive at Hampden Park on October 12 riding a wave of momentum. Group form places them second with seven points from three matches — two wins and a draw — and their recent 3-1 victory over Greece underlines a side capable of putting games to bed with authority. The home advantage here is tangible: Hampden Park will host the fixture in Glasgow, a venue with a capacity of 52,500 that often swells the home team's energy. Scotland’s attacking numbers in the campaign so far are encouraging; five goals scored and just one conceded in group play speak to a balanced approach, while season-long metrics show a team that creates plenty (an average of 84.33 attacks and over 33 dangerous attacks per match). The form line W-W-D-W-L-L-W-W-W-D suggests resilience and a side that can produce back-to-back positive results.
Belarus arrive bruised and vulnerable
Belarus head north having struggled mightily in qualification. Sitting bottom of the group with zero points and a worrying goal difference — just one scored against 13 conceded — their defensive frailties have been brutally exposed. The latest scoreline, a 0-6 defeat to Denmark, will do little for confidence. Their broader form also reads poorly, with more losses than wins in recent results and away statistics highlighting problems: three losses recorded, zero clean sheets, and five goals conceded away from home in the group. While Belarus have shown they can score occasionally (a 4-1 win earlier in the summer), their consistency is the concern. Against a Scotland side that defends well at home and presses on the front foot, this shapes up as a difficult assignment for the visitors.
Tactical outlook and key moments to watch
Expect Scotland to control territory and probe early, leveraging their superior shot volume and accuracy inside the box. Their recent best performer, Lewis Ferguson, earned plaudits and the match rating after the Greece game, indicating players capable of influencing proceedings. Belarus will need to regroup quickly after heavy defeats and will likely prioritize compact defending and counter opportunities, but the gulf in group form and defensive solidity suggests the hosts will dictate the tempo.
Betting suggestion: Back the home win (1) in the 1X2 market. Scotland’s unbeaten group run, superior attacking and defensive numbers, and home advantage at Hampden Park make them clear favorites against a Belarus side leaking goals and lacking points. A realistic scoreline to consider is a 2-0 win for Scotland.