-
referee
- Horace Fesnicus
Previous Slovenia – Scotland
Sebastien Pocognoli will look to make his career as a Scotland head off to a winning start when they visit Slovenia in the UEFA Nations League B.
Pocognoli was appointed as the successor to Steve Clarke, who resigned following their World Cup group stage exit.
Scotland picked up their first World Cup win since 1990 with a 1-0 win over Haiti in their opening match, but it was not enough to reach the last 16 after defeats to Morocco and Brazil.
The Nations League is an avenue for Scotland to boost their already very strong chances of qualifying for Euro 2028, which will be held in England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
With places in the finals reserved for the two highest-ranked home nations who fail to qualify as group winners or as one of the eight highest-ranked runners-up, it is hard to foresee Scotland not competing at a home Euro.
But with the Nations League factoring into the qualifying process, Scotland will have designs on winning Group B1, in which they have also been drawn alongside Switzerland and North Macedonia.
And Pocognoli is enjoying the task that awaits him.
“If we’re talking about nerves, yes, but it’s a positive nervousness,” he told BBC Sport Scotland. “We have a job with responsibility. It’s exciting and I’m passionate about being on the touchline.
“I will try to be as successful as the previous staff because we want to play in a big tournament. We want to create this moment for the country.”
Against Slovenia, Scotland will face a side that failed to qualify for the World Cup but won promotion to League B in the previous Nations League campaign.
Slovenia have drawn with Sweden and Switzerland on their recent CV and reached the last 16 of Euro 2024, losing on penalties to Portugal after holding Denmark, Serbia and England to a stalemate.
As such, they represent tricky opposition for Scotland even without the services of star forward Benjamin Sesko.
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak will captain Slovenia, who are likely to lean on Swansea City talisman Zan Vipotnik to provide the firepower against a Scotland side not known for defensive stability.
Team news Slovenia – Scotland
Sesko is sidelined with a nagging injury which kept him out of Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Fulham last time out.
Scott McTominay is unavailable for Scotland after having heart surgery recently.
Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams also miss out due to fitness issues.
Line-ups expected for Slovenia-Scotland
Slovenia: cloud Karnicnik, Drkusic, Bijol, Brekalo; Lovric, Cerin, Elsnik; Horvat, Vipotnik; dispute
Scotland: Gunn; Welsh, Binks, McKenna; Hickey, Ferguson, Gilmour, Robertson; McGinn; Ure, McBurnie
Slovenia v Scotland recent form and stats
- Scotland are unbeaten in five meetings with Slovenia (2W, 3D).
- There hasn’t been a goalless draw in this game since the teams first met in World Cup qualifying in 2004.
- Since their exit in the last 16 of Euro 2024, Slovenia have lost just two home games, a 4-1 loss to Norway in the previous Nations League and a 2-0 loss to Kosovo in World Cup qualifying.
- Scotland have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 games. They haven’t kept a clean sheet in a competitive game since a 2-0 win against Belarus in September last year.
- Captain Andy Robertson is three games away from 100 for Scotland.
- If selected in this international window, Scotland’s Oli McBurnie will make his first appearance for his country since 2021, having failed to score in his previous 16 games.
Where to watch Slovenia vs Scotland: TV and online broadcasts
Slovenia v Scotland kicks off at 2pm UK time on Saturday.
It will be broadcast on BBC One and will also be available to watch on iPlayer.
Prediction for Slovenia – Scotland
With both teams missing star players, it wouldn’t be surprising if they canceled each other out.
Slovenia
1-1
Scotland
