Euro 2024 Qualifier: Norway vs Scotland Betting Preview
Haaland and Norway Host Scotland
Scotland off to Perfect Start
Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign got off to a dream start. They picked up two shutout wins in March and pulled off an upset over Spain. Now, Scotland head on the road to take on Erling Haaland and Norway. The Champions League-winning striker missed Norway’s March qualifiers and his side has some ground to make up. We’ll take a look at the top storylines and key odds from the match in this Norway vs Scotland betting preview.
Euro 2024 Qualifier
Game: Norway vs. Scotland
Location: Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway Date & Time: Saturday, June 17th, 12:00 p.m. EST
Head-to-Head
Norway and Scotland last played each other almost ten years ago. Scotland picked up a 1-0 win in a November 2013 friendly. However, the last five meetings are exactly even, with two wins and a draw. A draw has been one of this fixture’s most successful soccer bets. Five of the last ten matches between Norway and Scotland have finished all square.
Norway Stumble in March
- Standings: 0-1-1, 4th Group A
- Key Absences: F Joshua King
Record-breaking Manchester City striker Erling Haaland missed Norway’s first two Euro qualifiers due to an injury. Haaland, who just won the treble with Man City, scored 52 goals in all competitions. He started in City’s Champions League final win vs. Inter Milan last Saturday and led the UCL in scoring. Our Norway vs. Scotland betting preview notes that Haaland is in the squad for Norway’s matches vs. Scotland and Cyprus.
That’s a big boost for a Norway side that scored just once in March. Spain defeated Norway 3-0 in their first qualifier, and the Norwegians got a 1-1 draw on the road at Georgia soon after. Norway are much more than just Erling Haaland, though. Captain Martin Odegaard had a stellar season with Arsenal and provides a bunch of creativity in midfield. Sander Berge is another big name in midfield, while Mohamed Elyounoussi could start on the wing here.
Norway have a bunch of high-level defenders as well, including Birger Meling, Kristoffer Ajer, Leo Ostigard and Julian Ryerson. This is their first home match of their qualifying campaign, which should certainly add some incentive to perform well. As for Haaland, he’ll look to score his 22nd goal for Norway in just his 24th appearance.
Scotland in Pole Position
- Standings: 2-0, 1st Group A
- Key Absences: D Grant Hanley, F Che Adams
Back in March, Scotland got their first win over Spain since 1984 as Scott McTominay scored an unforgettable brace. With the 2-0 win, Scotland jumped to first place in the Group A UEFA Euro Qualifiers standings. There are still six games to go but it’s exactly the start that Steve Clarke and Scotland wanted. Scotland have played exceptionally over the last year. They finished first in their UEFA Nations League B group last September and earned promotion to the A league.
It’ll be another huge step towards qualifying for consecutive European championships if they beat Norway European championships. Scotland have kept shutouts in each of their last three competitive matches and four of their last five. However, defender Grant Hanley is unavailable due to an injury. He started in the wins vs. Cyprus and Spain. Midfielder McTominay played out of his mind in March as he scored four of his five international goals in Scotland’s two qualifiers.
Scotland lack a prolific striker, especially now that Che Adams is out injured as well. Midfielder John McGinn has scored twice as many goals as any other player on the current roster. He is one of many Premier League players on the Scotland roster. Defenders Kieran Tierney, Andy Robertson and Aaron Hickey are all versatile EPL stars.
Match Analysis and Odds
Don’t expect Scotland coach Steve Clarke to change the lineup much from their win over Spain. However, our Norway vs. Scotland Betting Preview notes that Norway are 0.5-goal favorites for Saturday’s match. Erling Haaland & Co. come in at even ATS and moneyline odds but Norway are winless in their last four matches in all competitions. Haaland has found the net 13 times in his last 10 games for Norway, though.
Norway have also conceded in each of their last five matches. Unsurprisingly, Scotland show -200 odds to get on the scoresheet here. Under 2.5 goals do display -140 odds for the match, though. Visitors Scotland, as 0.5-goal underdogs, are priced at -130 ATS odds. They are unbeaten in their last six games. Scotland also sit at +270 moneyline odds, while a draw shows +240 odds here.
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