Scotland spent 28 years trying to get back to a World Cup. Now, barely five months after their return to football’s biggest stage, they’re fighting to avoid an entirely different kind of international embarrassment.

Friday night’s Nations League meeting with North Macedonia should represent an opportunity for Sébastien Pocognoli to restore some confidence. Instead, it has become a fixture Scotland can scarcely afford to lose.

The Tartan Army have endured a difficult autumn. One victory from four Nations League matches has left Scotland third in Group B1, three points behind Slovenia and facing the possibility of another campaign in the second tier.

Last month’s 2-1 home defeat against Slovenia was particularly damaging. Scotland had already been beaten 3-0 by Switzerland, and another disappointing performance at Hampden raised further questions about Pocognoli’s early progress.

There is, however, some encouraging news.

Scott McTominay returns to the squad after undergoing a heart procedure, while Ché Adams is available again following injury. Both could make a considerable difference to a Scotland side that has scored just three goals in four group matches.

North Macedonia arrive with even bigger problems.

Goce Sedloski’s side have lost all four Nations League fixtures, conceding 10 goals without scoring once. Their attacking struggles extend well beyond this competition, with the visitors currently enduring an eight-match run without finding the net.

Scotland have already beaten them in Skopje this autumn, with Kieron Bowie and John McGinn providing the goals. That victory remains Pocognoli’s only competitive win as Scotland manager.

Another three points would keep Scotland’s promotion play-off hopes alive heading into Monday’s trip to Switzerland.

But simply beating a team that hasn’t scored in eight matches isn’t much of a betting angle on its own.

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What are the best betting tips for Scotland vs North Macedonia?

Scotland to win to nil

Scotland haven’t been particularly convincing under Pocognoli, but North Macedonia’s attacking record makes this a difficult fixture to approach from any other angle.

The visitors have failed to score in all four Nations League matches, extending their goalless sequence to eight consecutive internationals. They have also lost five matches in a row.

Scotland dominated the reverse fixture in Skopje. According to the match statistics reported by Sports Mole, the Scots registered 25 shots and created seven big chances, while North Macedonia managed nine attempts without producing a single big chance.

The return of McTominay should also help Scotland control midfield and maintain pressure in advanced areas.

Backing Scotland to win without conceding offers a more worthwhile approach than the short-priced home victory, although their defensive performances against Slovenia and Switzerland mean it isn’t without risk.

Scotland to win and under 3.5 total goals

There is a temptation to expect a comfortable Scottish victory against opponents who have conceded 10 goals in four matches.

However, Scotland’s own attacking numbers suggest a more measured approach.

Pocognoli’s side have scored only three Nations League goals, and even their victory in Skopje required patience. Scotland created plenty of opportunities but struggled to turn their dominance into a convincing scoreline.

North Macedonia are likely to defend deep, crowd the penalty area and attempt to frustrate the hosts. That could make the opening stages uncomfortable, particularly if Scotland fail to score early.

McTominay’s return provides an additional goal threat, but it would be optimistic to assume Scotland will suddenly become a free-scoring side.

A home victory with fewer than four match goals covers results such as 1-0, 2-0 and 2-1. It is a more selective alternative to simply backing Scotland to win.

Scott McTominay to score anytime

This is the most adventurous of the three selections, but McTominay’s return gives Scotland a different dimension in attack.

The Napoli midfielder missed the previous international camp after undergoing a heart procedure. His return is a significant boost for Pocognoli, who has lacked a consistent goalscoring presence from midfield.

McTominay is particularly dangerous when arriving late into the penalty area. His physical presence also makes him a threat from crosses and set pieces, two areas Scotland may need to exploit against a compact North Macedonian defence.

With John McGinn, Billy Gilmour and Lewis Ferguson capable of controlling possession, McTominay should have opportunities to advance beyond the midfield line.

There is an obvious fitness consideration after his recent absence, and his starting position must be confirmed before taking this market.

However, if he starts in an advanced role, McTominay offers a more interesting goalscorer angle than relying solely on Scotland’s centre-forward.

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How to watch Scotland vs North Macedonia

• Date: Friday, 13 November 2026

• Kick-off: 7:45 pm GMT

• Competition: UEFA Nations League, League B Group 1

• Venue: Barclays Hampden, Glasgow

• UK TV: BBC Two Scotland (confirmed by the Scottish FA)

• UK streaming: BBC iPlayer

• USA: Broadcaster not confirmed

• Canada: Broadcaster not confirmed

Coverage on BBC Two Scotland begins at 7:30 pm GMT.

Scotland predicted lineup and team news

Predicted formation: 3-4-2-1

Predicted XI: Gunn; Hickey, Hendry, Porteous; Gannon-Doak, Ferguson, Gilmour, Robertson; McGinn, McTominay; McBurnie.

Sébastien Pocognoli welcomes back Scott McTominay following a successful heart procedure. The Napoli midfielder missed Scotland’s previous international fixtures but is available for selection again. Ché Adams also returns after injury, providing competition for Oli McBurnie and Kieron Bowie in attack.

Scotland have suffered two defensive withdrawals. Stephen Welsh and Luis Binks are unavailable, with Ryan Porteous and David Bates called up as replacements. Porteous could feature alongside Jack Hendry and Aaron Hickey in a back three.

Andy Robertson is expected to captain the side from left wing-back, with Ben Gannon-Doak providing width on the opposite flank. John McGinn, Billy Gilmour and Lewis Ferguson should compete for midfield positions.

McTominay’s return gives Pocognoli an opportunity to add greater attacking presence behind the striker, although his minutes may need managing after his recent absence.

North Macedonia predicted lineup and team news

Predicted formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted XI: Dimitrievski; Ilievski, Meljichi, Misliu, Alioski; Elmas, Atanasov; Mitrovski, Bardhi, Doriev; Rastoder.

Goce Sedloski faces another difficult selection decision as North Macedonia attempt to end their lengthy winless run.

Captain Enis Bardhi remains the visitors’ main creative outlet. The experienced midfielder is expected to operate behind Elmin Rastoder, with Dimitar Mitrovski and Ljupche Doriev providing support from wide positions.

Eljif Elmas should feature in central midfield alongside Jani Atanasov, while Ezgjan Alioski offers experience at left-back. Stole Dimitrievski is expected to retain his place in goal.

North Macedonia have struggled to create clear opportunities throughout the competition. Sedloski may therefore prioritise defensive organisation and attempt to frustrate Scotland before introducing attacking options later in the match.

Scotland vs North Macedonia stats

• Scotland are third in Nations League Group B1 with four points from four matches.

• The Scots have won one, drawn one and lost two group fixtures.

• Scotland have scored just three goals in the competition.

• Pocognoli’s side have conceded six Nations League goals.

• Scotland lost 2-1 at home to Slovenia in their previous group match.

• Scotland have suffered consecutive home defeats.

• North Macedonia are bottom of Group B1 with zero points.

• The visitors have lost all four Nations League matches.

• North Macedonia have conceded 10 goals without scoring.

• They have failed to score in eight consecutive internationals.

• North Macedonia are without a victory in 12 matches across all competitions.

• Scotland recorded 25 shots in the reverse fixture.

• Scotland created seven big chances in Skopje, compared with none for North Macedonia.

• John McGinn has won 21 fouls in the 2026/27 Nations League, four more than any other player.

• Two of Scotland’s four Nations League fixtures have featured a red card.

• Scotland have won three of their five historical meetings with North Macedonia, drawing one and losing one.

• Andy Robertson could move beyond Sir Kenny Dalglish’s 102 Scotland caps during this international window.

Scotland vs North Macedonia prediction

The Tartan Army have been disappointing under Pocognoli, but Friday’s fixture offers an excellent opportunity to rebuild some confidence.

North Macedonia have been remarkably ineffective in attack. Eight consecutive matches without a goal is a serious concern, particularly against opponents who should dominate possession at home.

Scotland’s own attacking problems cannot be ignored, though. Three goals in four Nations League fixtures hardly suggest a side capable of overwhelming opponents.

That makes McTominay’s return especially important.

His movement into the penalty area should provide an additional threat, while McGinn and Gannon-Doak can create opportunities from different areas of the pitch.

North Macedonia will almost certainly defend deep and attempt to frustrate the hosts. Their priority will be avoiding an early goal and keeping the match competitive for as long as possible.

However, Scotland created enough chances in the reverse fixture to suggest they should eventually break through again.

A victory would keep the pressure on Slovenia heading into the final group matches, although Scotland still need results elsewhere to improve their position.

Pocognoli’s side should have enough quality to secure the points without conceding, even if another convincing attacking performance remains unlikely.

Score prediction: Scotland 2-0 North Macedonia

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