Greece vs. Scotland lineups, expected starting 11, confirmed team news, injuries: Clarke sees Tierney, Ferguson back

Scotland and Greece do battle for the prize of playing against Europe’s heaviest hitters in their UEFA Nations League relegation/promotion playoff, with the first leg on Thursday in Athens.

Greece will hope to snatch at the chance to move up after finishing second in their League B group, level on points with winners England.

Scotland, meanwhile, will look to keep hold of their place in League A, put at risk by a third-place finish in Group A1. They ended up just a single point below second-place Croatia, which would have not only guaranteed safety but also secured a spot in the Nations League quarterfinals.

The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.

Greece vs. Scotland lineups, predicted starting 11, team news

There is competition for Greece up front, as Vangelis Pavlidis has not been able to translate his strong Champions League performances for Benfica to the national team. With just two goals in his past 18 caps, Pavlidis could cede time to Fotis Ioannidis. The 25-year-old Panathinaikos striker has emerged as a reliable goalscorer in both Greek domestic play and the UEFA Conference League.

National team captain Anastasios Bakasetas is out of the mix after picking up a muscle injury in mid-February, as is fellow midfielder Dimitrios Kourbelis who has not appeared for his Saudi side Al Khaleej since mid-January.

Former Atlanta United striker Georgios Giakoumakis has been productive since joining Mexican side Cruz Azul but has not been called up since last summer.

Greece predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Vlachodimos (GK) — Rota, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Tsimikas — Siopis, Mantalos — Masouras, Pelkas, Tzolis — Ioannidis.

Injured: Bakasetas (muscle), Kourbelis (muscle).
Suspended: None.

Goalkeepers: Christos Mandas, Konstantis Tzolakis, Odysseas Vlachodimos.

Defenders: Pantelis Chatzidiakos, Dimitris Giannoulis, Dinos Koulierakis, Dinos Mavropanos, Panos Retsos, Lazaros Rota, Kostas Tsimikas, Giorgos Vagiannidis.

Midfielders: Sotiris Alexandropoulos, Kostas Karetsas, Giannis Konstantelias, Petros Mantalos, Christos Mouzakitis, Dimitris Pelkas, Manolis Siopis, Christos Zafeiris.

Forwards: Tasos Chatzigiovanis, Tasos Douvikas, Taxiarchis Fountas, Fotis Ioannidis, Giorgos Masouras, Vangelis Pavlidis, Christos Tzolis.

The exciting news for the Scotland squad this March is the inclusion of former England youth international George Hirst, who has completed his switch successfully and earned his maiden call-up. Also on board for the first time is Motherwell teenager Lennon Miller.

Lewis Ferguson is back for the first time in a year after recovering from an ACL tear, and Kieran Tierney is also back from injury after last appearing at the Euros. That balances out the lengthy absentee list, which includes Lewis Morgan, Lyndon Dykes, and Ryan Gauld among others.

It was surprising not to see in-form Lawrence Shankland in the mix, but he was left out of the squad by manager Steve Clarke.

Scotland predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Gordon (GK) — Ralston, Souttar, Hanley, Robertson — McTominay, McLean — Christie, Gilmour, McGinn — Adams.

Injured: Morgan (knee), Dykes (calf), Gauld (knee), Barron (fitness), Doak (thigh).
Suspended: None.

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly, Cieran Slicker.

Defenders: Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Max Johnston, Scott McKenna, Ryan Porteous, Anthony Ralston, Andrew Robertson, John Souttar, Kieran Tierney.

Midfielders: Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, Billy Gilmour, John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Kenny McLean, Lennon Miller.

Forwards: Che Adams, Tommy Conway, George Hirst, Kevin Nisbet, James Wilson.

Greece vs. Scotland live stream, TV channel

Here’s how to watch this UEFA Nations League playoff match across selected areas of the world’s major regions: