Scotland vs Czech Republic: Euro 2020 team news and prediction
Excitement levels are rising in Scotland as the Tartan Army gear up for their first taste of major tournament football since the 1998 World Cup. Having beaten the Czech Republic twice in the last 12 months, they'll hope home advantage can play a part in this afternoon's Group D meeting.
Ahead of this clash, we provide the necessary pre-match information, including what time the game kicks off, where to watch the match, team news and probable XIs.
When is kick off?
Monday 14th June, 14:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Hampden Park, Glasgow (Scotland)
What TV channel is it on?
BBC One
Last Tournament Performance
Scotland return to major tournament football for the first time in 23 years when they face the Czech Republic today. The Tartan Army disappointed on the grand stage at the 1998 World Cup, finishing bottom of their group with just one point from three games. For Czech Republic, they last played tournament football back in 2016, as they finished bottom of their Euros group as they, like Scotland, earned just one point from three matches
Team news
Scotland boss Steve Clarke is expected to have Billy Gilmour available for selection. The youngster was taken off with 15 minutes to go in their 1-0 pre-Euro 2020 win over Luxembourg, though that was more of a precaution. Gilmour is not expected to start at Hampden, however, with Clarke set go for a midfield trio of Scott McTominay, Callum McGregor and John McGinn.
Lukas Provod is ruled out for the Czech Republic, and that should see Alex Kral start alongside Tomas Soucek in the middle of the park. However, their issues come at the back as first choice centre-back pairing Tomas Kalas and Ondrej Celustka are carrying knocks. That said, it would be a shock if either or both were to miss this Group D meeting.
Probable XIs
Scotland (352) - Marshall; Hendry, Hanley, Tierney; O'Donnell, McTominay, McGregor, McGinn, Robertson; Dykes, Adams
Czech Republic (4231) - Vaclik; Coufal, Celustka, Kalas, Boril; Soucek, Kral; Masopust, Darida, Jantko; Schick
Key Battle - John McGinn vs Tomas Soucek
Two Premier League midfielders lock horns at Hampden on Monday afternoon. John McGinn endured his injury issues in his debut Premier League season, but started 37 of 38 league matches in 2020/21 for Aston Villa. Now more than ever, he'll need to work tirelessly to ensure Scotland get off to a winning start at Euro 2020.
McGinn will have his work cut out to ensure Tomas Soucek is unable to transfer his league form to the international stage. The West Ham star ended 2020/21 with a WhoScored rating of 7.36, that the fifth best in the Premier League, and recently bagged a hat-trick for Czech Republic in their 6-2 thrashing of Estonia back in March.
Score Prediction: Scotland 1-1 Czech Republic
