Getting their World Cup adventure underway in the early hours of Sunday, Scotland will meet Haiti at the Gillette Stadium.
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Verdict: Scotland win
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: BetUS
Haiti
Starting with Haiti, while Les Grenadiers might have touched down in North America knowing that it would take an all-time miracle in the race to mount any kind of serious knockout stage charge in Group C, Sebastien Migne’s men certainly find the mood in their camp at an historic high. Set to make their first World Cup appearance since their maiden adventure way back in 1974, the one-time Kenya boss is preparing for what will be a record-breaking summer. Getting their campaign underway in the early hours of Sunday, Haiti will simply be looking to put in a respectable account of themselves. However, signing off their pre-tournament preparations with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Peru in Miami last weekend, Migne’s side have largely failed to find any real stability since their iconic World Cup qualifying charge last year.
Haiti Team News
Helping Sunderland to an iconic European finish on their Premier League return this season, Wilson Isidor will spearhead Haiti’s charge in the final third. Despite losing his top-flight status with Wolves last month, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde will also feature at the Gillette Stadium.
Initially coming through the youth system with reigning European champions PSG, Ferencvaros star produced 26 direct goal contributions this season (16 goals, 10 assists) and could also play a leading role for Les Grenadiers.
Scotland
As for Scotland, much like Sunday’s opponents, the Tartan Army are also making an emotional return to the world stage this summer. Set to embark on their first World Cup adventure since back in 1998, Steve Clarke’s side have their sights firmly set on mounting a legitimate knockout stage charge this month. Signing off their qualifying campaign with an action-packed 4-2 victory against Denmark back in November, Scotland will certainly be confident of making an opening statement at the Gillette Stadium this weekend. Drawing a line under their pre-tournament preparations with a dominant display as they stormed their way to an empathic 4-0 victory against Bolivia in New Jersey, Clarke will be dreaming of a repeat performance here. If the Tartan Army are to book a maiden knockout stage ticket this summer, they will know that they must get off to a flying start this weekend.
Scotland Team News
Officially completing a free transfer to Tottenham before jetting off to North America, now-former Liverpool defender Andy Robertson will lead Scotland out here. Leading Aston Villa to Europa League glory last month, John McGinn will start in the middle of the park and be partnered alongside Napoli ace Scott McTominay.
Bagging a brace against Bolivia last weekend, Torino striker Che Adams should get the nod and spearhead Clarke’s attack. Kieran Tierney will start at left-back. Helping Celtic retain their domestic crown in the most dramatic of circumstances last month, Kieran Tierney will start at left-back.
Haiti vs Scotland Key Factors to Consider
- Sunday’s showdown at the Gillette Stadium will be the first meeting between Haiti and Scotland.
- The Tartan Army notched a quartet of strikes in each of their final two pre-World Cup appearances.
- Despite their iconic World Cup qualifying adventure last year, Haiti have won just a quartet of their previous 14 appearances across all fronts.
- Scotland’s 4-0 friendly victory against Bolivia last weekend was the first clean sheet they have mustered from their previous eight outings across all fronts.
- Six of Scotland’s last eight appearances have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
If Scotland are to mount a maiden World Cup knockout stage ticket this summer, then Clarke’s side will be more than aware that they must get off to a flying start in Group C. Making their first appearance on the world stage in almost three decades, the Tartan Army should be smelling a real opportunity this weekend. Signing off their pre-tournament preparations with a thumping 4-0 victory against Bolivia last week, Scotland will be dreaming of a repeat performance at the Gillette Stadium in the early hours of Sunday.
Verdict: Scotland win
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: BetUS
