Ireland vs. Scotland Predictions: Tartan Army to inflict more misery on Boys in Green

There is a full raft of ten fixtures taking place in the Nations League on Saturday, with most of the home nations in action and we will have full match previews on site for all the biggest match-ups. Here we've tasked Adam Roberts with previewing the game between Ireland and Scotland and he's given us his best two bets for the occasion.

Both teams enter this contest feeling demoralised; Ireland have lost both their Nations League games and sit rock bottom of the group. Scotland may have won their first game against Armenia in midweek but will still be pondering the opportunity that went begging against Ukraine in the World Cup play-off. 

As mentioned in my previous preview, Ireland despise the Nations League - their updated record in this tournament now reads : Played 12, lost 7, drawn 5 and they have scored just two goals. Against Ukraine they had no clear cut chances and it's difficult to see where their goals are coming from at present. 

Scotland on the other hand, let off 27 shots against Armenia and created some really good chances. The perfect riposte for Steve Clarke is to get Scotland promoted from Group B1 to the top echelon of European football and they can consolidate their position at the head of the group with another three points in Dublin this weekend. 

Clarke has a full squad to choose from and may bring Scott McTominay back into the starting line up. 

Stephen Kenny is still sweating on the fitness of Seamus Coleman and John Egan and may propel Michael Obafemi into the front line to add some much needed fire power. 

My first pick is to side with the Scots to win this one in 90 minutes. As mentioned previously, Ireland are dire in this competition and it can only be a matter of time before Stephen Kenny finally gets the bullet. 

Scotland have lost just once, versus Ukraine, in their last 10 games and Clarke has made them very hard to break down. With the attacking threats of Anthony Ralston and Andy Robertson in the wingback positions, the Tartan Army create multiple chances for Che Adams. 

I think this will be another low scoring affair that Scotland will just edge. 

The second selection is a Scottish shots based one. I've taken John McGinn to have 2+ shots and Anthony Ralston and Jack Hendry to register a shot apiece. 

McGinn only averages 1.2 shots per game in the Premier League but his output drastically improves for Scotland. He averaged 2.3 spg in European qualification and against Armenia he fired off six shots! 

Ralston has been superb for Celtic this season and has 11 goal involvements in just 20 starts. He averages 1.1 spg for the Hoops but again he upped his numbers for the national team, having three shots against Armenia and scoring his first international goal. 

Hendry plays his club football at Club Brugge and averaged 0.9 spg over the season. Against Ukraine he notched two shots and registered another against Armenia. 

The three bets combined pay a little over 13/2 at Paddy Power. Good luck if following and bet responsibly.