Overview
Scotland have been struggling in this year's Nations League, still without a win in four games. Steve Clarke's side have lost their first three games against Poland, Portugal and Croatia.
In their most recent match, they picked up their first points with a 1-1 draw with Portugal. However, Scotland are still in serious danger of being relegated. Scotland's common trait in recent matches is that they often concede late goals.
Meanwhile, after losing to Portugal, Croatia came back strongly with a series of 3 consecutive unbeaten matches. They won 1 victory and 1 draw against Poland, and the remaining 3 points against Scotland.
Croatia now only need to beat Scotland in the second leg to secure a place in the quarter-finals with one game to spare, regardless of the result between Poland and Portugal. Croatia currently has a better head-to-head record than Poland.
Of the seven goals scored by Croatia in this year's Nations League, six different players have scored (the other was an own goal by a Portuguese player). Coach Zlatko Dalic is building a united team, with any element of the squad able to shine.
Croatia have beaten Scotland in their last two meetings, scoring a total of five goals and conceding just two. If they play to their potential, Luka Modric and his teammates will likely win again.
Human resources situation
Scotland striker Che Adams is out injured, while the visitors will also be without Aaron Hickey, Lewis Ferguson, Kieran Tierney and Nathan Patterson.
On the other side of the front line, Croatia will be without their number 1 goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic due to suspension. Dinamo Zagreb striker Bruno Petkovic is also absent due to injury.
Expected lineup:
Scotland: Gordon, Ralston, Hanley, Souttar, Robertson, McGinn, Gilmour, Doak, McTominay, Christie, Dykes.
Croatia: Ivusic, Erlic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Pjaca, Kovacic, Modric, Baturina, Sosa, Matanovic, Kramaric.
The match between Scotland and Croatia takes place at 2:45 a.m. on November 16 (Vietnam time).
