Preview: Israel vs. Scotland - prediction, team news, lineups

Israel and Scotland renew their recent rivalry on Sunday evening as they bid to record their first victory in Group F.

While Scotland earned a 2-2 draw at home to Austria, Israel started their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 reverse against Denmark.

Match preview

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Despite being provided with a favourable group, Scotland's opener against Austria represented a tough test for a group of players whose level quickly dropped off after qualification for Euro 2020.

Steve Clarke will be disappointed not to have taken advantage of one of their home fixtures but twice fighting back to claim a share of the spoils can only encourage the Tartan Army boss.

With Austria next playing host to the Faroe Islands, Scotland are in a position where they will find themselves off the pace without success in Tel Aviv.

Nevertheless, Clarke's priority will be on ensuring that Scotland do not succumb to familiar opponents, this game marking their fourth meeting since September 2020 and sixth since October 2018.

Scotland's efforts in front of goal on Thursday night ended a run of six games where they had failed to score more than once in a match.

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Sitting bottom of the group after their defeat to Denmark, Israel boss Willibald Ruttensteiner will want to avoid an over-reaction with the setback coming against the group favourites.

However, Israel cannot afford to start this campaign with two successive setbacks on home territory, increasing the demand for a strong performance at the weekend.

The Blue and Whites ended 2020 with a 1-0 win over their next opponents, the decisive goal coming from 21-year-old Manor Solomon who has quickly established himself as a key member of this squad.

Ruttensteiner needs more from Eran Zahavi, the PSV Eindhoven star having now gone three games since scoring the last of his 24 international goals.

Team News

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Despite using Scott McTominay in midfield on Thursday night, Clarke may select the Manchester United man in his back three on Sunday.

With Jack Hendry dropping out of the side, that would allow Kenny McLean, Callum McGregor or Che Adams to come into the starting lineup.

Israel boss Ruttensteiner will consider handing an opportunity to Shon Weissman, who could take the place of Munas Dabbur.

Depending on whether Ruttensteiner switches to a back four, midfielder Neta Lavi is an alternative to Joel Abu Hanna.

Israel possible starting lineup:
Marciano; Elhamed, Tibi, Hanna; Dasa, Natkho, Peretz, Solomon, Menachem; Weissman, Zahavi

Scotland possible starting lineup:
Marshall; McTominay, Hanley, Tierney; O'Donnell, Christie, McGinn, Armstrong, Robertson; Adams, Dykes

We say: Israel 1-1 Scotland

While both teams will want to try to keep pace with Denmark and Austria, they will also acknowledge that they can ill-afford a defeat on Sunday. With that in mind, we expect a low-key share of the spoils, a result which would benefit Scotland more so than Israel.