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📋 Match Preview

The Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus will be the battleground as Greece and Scotland meet in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation playoff on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

• Greece (League B runners-up) are aiming to secure their first-ever promotion to League A.
• Scotland (League A third place, Group 1) are fighting to avoid relegation after a late resurgence in their campaign.

With only one team securing a place in the next UEFA Nations League League A, expect a tense and tactical battle.

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⚡ Interesting Fact:

Greece have won more Nations League matches (16) than any other team in the tournament’s history.

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🔍 Team Analysis

🇬🇷 Greece

Greece finished second behind England in League B Group 2, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion.

However, Ivan Jovanovic’s team have been in excellent form, winning six of their last seven matches.

📊 Current Form:

🏆 Last 5 matches: ✅✅✅❌✅
⚽ Last match: 2-1 vs. Finland (A)

⭐ Key Players:

• Vangelis Pavlidis – 12 goals in his last 13 games for Benfica, Greece’s main striker.
• Christos Tzolis – A creative winger who has impressed in the Champions League with Club Brugge.
• Tasos Bakasetas – Greece’s playmaker, but ruled out through injury.

🚑 Injuries & Suspensions:

❌ Tasos Bakasetas (thigh)

✅ Christos Zafeiris returns from suspension.

🏟 Home Form (Nations League):

✅ Wins: 8 | 🤝 Draws: 2 | ❌ Losses: 2

Greece have kept a clean sheet in seven of their last eight Nations League home wins.

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🏴 Scotland

Scotland avoided automatic relegation by winning two of their final three group games, including a dramatic 2-1 victory over Poland.

Despite a tough campaign in League A against Portugal, Croatia, and Poland, Scotland’s fightback in November kept their survival hopes alive.

📊 Current Form:

🏆 Last 5 matches: ✅✅❌🤝❌
⚽ Last match: 2-1 vs. Poland (A)

⭐ Key Players:

• John McGinn – Scotland’s 20-goal milestone midfielder, a leader in attack.
• Scott McTominay – Often steps up in big matches, adds goals from midfield.
• Che Adams – The returning striker could be key to Scotland’s chances.

🚑 Injuries & Suspensions:

❌ Ben Doak (thigh)

✅ Lewis Ferguson & Che Adams return.

🚀 Away Form (Nations League):

✅ Wins: 4 | 🤝 Draws: 1 | ❌ Losses: 6

Scotland have lost five of their last six away games in the Nations League.

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⚔️ Head-to-Head & Past Encounters

✅ Greece 1-0 Scotland – Nov 1994 (Euro ’96 Qualifier)
✅ Scotland 1-0 Greece – Aug 1995 (Euro ’96 Qualifier)

🔹 Key Stats:

• Scotland have never won a competitive game in Greece.
• Greece have scored at least two goals in six of their last seven games.
• Scotland’s last two wins came from late goals.

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🎯 Prediction (Goal.mu/Mauri.bet)

⚽ Prediction: Greece 2-1 Scotland

Greece’s strong home record and recent form make them favourites, but Scotland will fight until the last minute.

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💰 Betting Tips

📌 Both Teams to Score: Yes ✅

• Scotland have scored in their last three away games.

📌 Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 Goals ✅

• Greece have scored 2+ goals in six of their last seven games.

📌 First Goal Scorer: Vangelis Pavlidis ✅

• In top form for Benfica, likely to be Greece’s key threat.

📌 Half-Time Result: Greece to Lead (1-0) ✅

• Greece have led at HT in five of their last six home matches.

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🏆 Possible Lineups

🇬🇷 Greece (4-2-3-1):

🧤 Vlachodimos
🛡️ Rota – Mavropanos – Chatzidiakos – Tsimikas
⚡ Mantalos – Siopis
🔥 Masouras – Pelkas – Tzolis
🎯 Ioannidis

🏴 Scotland (4-2-3-1):

🧤 Gordon
🛡️ Ralston – Souttar – Hanley – Robertson
⚡ Gilmour – Ferguson
🔥 McGinn – McTominay – Christie
🎯 Adams

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📅 Match Details

📅 Match Date: March 20, 2025
🏟 Venue: Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus
⏰ Kickoff Time: 7:45 PM UK Time

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🔍 Final Verdict:

This is a crucial match for both teams – Greece aim to reach League A for the first time, while Scotland fight to stay in the top tier.

Can Scotland overcome their away struggles, or will Greece’s home dominance prevail?

🔥 Drop your predictions below!

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