Norway vs Scotland predictions: Goals on show in Oslo
- Both teams have scored in five of Norway’s last seven internationals
- Scotland have lost only one of their last seven internationals
- Recommended bet: Back both teams to score
Having won their opening two European Championship qualifiers to assume control of Group A, Scotland now set their sights on upsetting the apple cart at Norway.
The Tartan Army are considered outsiders for victory at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, but their latest 2-0 victory at home to Spain in March shows you rule the visitors out at your peril.
Scotland had eased to a 3-0 success at home to Cyprus prior to that but more may be required to keep out a Norwegian attack spearheaded by Manchester City’s goalscoring sensation Erling Haaland.
The Norwegians are desperate for victory having failed to win any of their first two qualifiers, losing 3-0 at Spain before being frustrated in a 1-1 draw at Georgia.
Team news
Norway manager Stale Solbakken insists Haaland will be fit and ready to go despite having only linked up with the squad on Wednesday afternoon after celebrating Manchester City’s Champions League triumph, which clinched the treble.
Eredivisie-winning full-back Marcus Pedersen has also been included in the Norway squad despite missing Feyernoord’s last two league matches, while Arsenal ace Martin Odegaard is set to receive his 50th cap.
While Norway are set to be at full strength, Scotland have greater concerns with Anthony Ralston, Craig Gordon, Che Adams and Grant Hanley all out injured.
Dominic Hyam may keep his place in defence with Hanley out but Rangers defender John Souttar is a doubt despite earning his first call up.
The stats
Scotland have lost only one of their last seven internationals, which came in a 2-1 friendly defeat in Turkey in November.
The Tartan Army have won their opening two qualifiers but both victories came at home and they have been struggling on the road, winning only one of their last five away internationals.
Norway, meanwhile, have failed to win any of their opening two qualifiers and their only win in six internationals came in a friendly at the Republic of Ireland in November.
Both teams have scored in just one of the six meetings between these sides but with no clean sheet in seven for Norway, that trend may be about to change.
Scotland have failed to score in one of their last seven matches while their only shut out in six European Championship qualifiers away from home came at minnows San Marino.
Prediction
Scotland should be in high spirits after winning their opening two qualifiers against Cyprus and Spain, but both victories came at Hampden Park and they have more to prove on their travels.
The Tartan Army also have some big absentees to contend with, most notably in defence with the leadership of Hanley to be especially missed.
Norway, on the other hand, will be desperate to get a victory under their belt, having taken only one point from two games and they have plenty of firepower at their disposal.
After a breathtaking season for Manchester City that saw him score 52 goals in 53 appearances, Haaland can cause Scotland plenty of problems and is ably assisted by Arsenal’s Odegaard.
With five goals in Norway's last six Euro qualifying games, Haaland may be tough to stop and Scotland’s forward players will have to be on their game if they are to get anything from the contest.
Norway’s weakness is undoubtedly in defence and they are without a clean sheet in seven, something that Steve Clarke’s crew can be confident about exploiting.
With that in mind, both teams finding the back of the net looks a solid option.
