Greece and Scotland will face off in Athens on Thursday for the first leg of their UEFA Nations League relegation/promotion playoff, vying for a spot among Europe’s elite teams.
Greece, having finished second in their League B group—level on points with group winners England—aim to seize this opportunity for promotion to League A. Scotland, meanwhile, are fighting to retain their League A status after a third-place finish in Group A1, just one point shy of Croatia, which would have secured both safety and a quarterfinal berth.
Greece vs. Scotland Lineups, Predicted Starting 11, Team News
Greece: Competition is heating up for Greece’s forward position. Despite his impressive Champions League form with Benfica, Vangelis Pavlidis has struggled to replicate that success internationally, scoring only twice in his last 18 caps. This could open the door for Fotis Ioannidis, a 25-year-old Panathinaikos striker who has proven himself a consistent threat in Greek domestic play and the UEFA Conference League.
The team faces setbacks, with captain Anastasios Bakasetas sidelined by a muscle injury in mid-February and midfielder Dimitrios Kourbelis absent from his Saudi club Al Khaleej in mid-January. Former Atlanta United striker Georgios Giakoumakis, now thriving at Cruz Azul in Mexico, 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.
Greece Squad:
- 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.
Scotland: Manager Steve Clarke has reasons for optimism with key returns and new faces. Former England youth international George Hirst has completed his switch to Scotland and earned his first call-up, joined by Motherwell teenager Lennon Miller. Lewis Ferguson returns after a year out with an ACL injury, and Kieran Tierney is back following his last appearance at the Euros. These additions offset a significant injury list, including Lewis Morgan, Lyndon Dykes, and Ryan Gauld. Surprisingly, in-form striker Lawrence Shankland was omitted from the squad.
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.
Scotland Squad:
- 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 in key regions:
| Region | Date | Time | TV Channel | Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Thu, Mar. 20 | 3:45 p.m. ET / 12:45 p.m. PT | — | Fubo USA, ViX |
| Canada | Thu, Mar. 20 | 3:45 p.m. ET / 12:45 p.m. PT | — | DAZN |
| UK | Thu, Mar. 20 | 7:45 p.m. GMT | — | — |
| Australia | Fri, Mar. 21 | 6:45 a.m. ADST | — | Optus Sport |
| India | Fri, Mar. 21 | 1:15 a.m. IST | — | Sony LIV, JioTV |