Armenia and Scotland square off in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday evening with the two nations occupying the bottom spots in League B Group 1.
However, that does not tell the whole story, with the teams just three points adrift of leaders Ukraine and level on points with second-placed Republic of Ireland.
Match preview
© Reuters
When Scotland cruised to victory in the reverse fixture versus Armenia last week, it appeared that Steve Clarke's side were back on track after their failure to qualify for the World Cup.
However, the Tartan Army were well beaten by Republic of Ireland in Dublin, the home nation dominating from start to finish to end their own disappointing run of performances.
The manner of the defeat was regarded as a genuine surprise, highlighting how far Scotland have recently improved, but Clarke has a tough job on his hands to galvanise his squad ahead of a long trip to Yerevan.
Since ending 2021 with six wins in succession, Scotland have prevailed in just one of their last five outings, that game being the 2-0 triumph over Armenia on June 8.
Clarke will expect his players to deliver a similar performance, but they have already witnessed the minnows of the group cause a surprise in recent games.
Arguably aided by the same humid temperatures which will be present on Tuesday, Armenia outlasted Republic of Ireland to open the group with a 1-0 win.
In the away double-header which has subsequently followed, Armenia have conceded five goals in setbacks against Scotland and Ukraine without troubling the scoresheet.
Nevertheless, Joaquin Caparros will be backing his players to inflict more misery on their next opponents having also posted a home win over Montenegro in a friendly this year.
Scotland will be making their first-ever trip to the country, last week's contest representing the first clash between the nations.
- W
- L
- L
- D
- W
- W
- W
- L
- L
- W
- L
- W
- D
- D
- L
- W
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Clarke will almost certainly ring the changes to his Scotland side, potentially dropping Andrew Robertson after an exhausting season with Liverpool.
Aaron Hickey could replace him at left wing-back, while Billy Gilmour and Stuart Armstrong will both expect to play in midfield positions.
Jacob Brown may get the opportunity to impress down the middle of the attack, replacing Che Adams, with John Souttar a likely inclusion in defence.
Armenia are expected to make at least one change after Artak Dashyan was forced off with an injury during the latter stages against Ukraine.
Vahan Bichakhchyan may be drafted into the starting lineup as his replacement, while Sargis Adamyan could be restored to the attack.
Armenia possible starting lineup:
Yurchenko; Ararat, Voskanyan, Mkrtchyan, Mkoyan; Hovhannisyan, Udo, Bayramyan; Bichakhchyan; Barseghyan, Adamyan
Scotland possible starting lineup:
Gordon; McKenna, Souttar, Hendry; Ralston, Gilmour, McTominay, Hickey; Armstrong, Christie; Brown
We say: Armenia 0-1 Scotland
After numerous fixtures in succession and humid temperatures expected in Yerevan, few people will expect many goals to be scored during this contest. Scotland will be wary of losing a second game in a row, but we feel that the Tartan Army will do enough to edge this contest by the solitary goal.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
