Scotland v Denmark Predictions: Our writers predict how the huge World Cup qualifier at Hampden will go

It looked as though Scotland’s chances of winning Group C and stealing automatic qualification were over with their 3-2 defeat to Greece in Piraeus on Saturday, only for whipping boys Belarus to provide the shock result of the campaign when they held Denmark to a 2-2 draw, leaving Tuesday’s battle in Mount Florida as winner takes all.

Scotland’s biggest game for a number of years, the task is simple - beat Denmark, and you’ve booked your place at next summer’s World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Fail to win, and the playoffs await for a second bite at the cherry.

But can the national team do it and sparked wild scenes of celebration? Or will Denmark crash the party and force Scotland into a taking the alternative route to the World Cup? Our football writers Mark Atkinson, Matthew Elder, Alan Pattullo, and Graham Falk share their thoughts and predictions ahead of the game.

Mark Atkinson

This is a scenario I would have signed up for a few months ago. This group of Scotland will not get a better chance of reaching a World Cup than beating Denmark at Hampden. It’s all about whether they can seize their moment.

And I believe they can. Denmark are a good international side, but they are not a great one. They are a team in decline, a team that has regressed slightly since Kasper Hjulmand departed. Golden generation players such as Christian Eriksen and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg aren’t as influential as they used to be. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel isn’t as impervious as in previous years. And they showed their frailties by drawing 2-2 with Belarus.

As a result, Scotland are still in the hunt. This is a team at the peak of their powers. Forget some iffy performances of late. They are on the premises, with home advantage. Roared on by a passionate Hampden crowd, this can be our night.

Prediction: Scotland 1-0 Denmark

Alan Pattullo

We know it's going to be a long night. We know it's not going to be Scotland 3 Denmark 0 at half-time, and even if it was, it would be 3-2 after 89 minutes with the Scots grimly hanging on. It will be fraught and harrowing but hopefully framed by elation at the end. The emotion of it all might threaten to overwhelm the fans but the players need to be focused and clear-headed with their sights trained on the win that's required. A late winner, then, and 27 years of hurt extinguished..

Prediction: Scotland 2-1 Denmark

Matthew Elder

Has Scotland’s World Cup hex been lifted? In a week where Nigeria accused DR Congo of practicing voodoo during their penalty shoot-out victory in a World Cup qualifier, it seems a magical higher power has been looking after Scotland’s best interests in this blessed campaign. Cautious optimism must be exercised, though, and lessons must be learned from Euro 2024 where Scotland played for too long with the handbrake on in their group decider against Hungary. Denmark are to be respected but not feared. Steve Clarke must grasp the nettle this time and give his team the freedom to attack from minute one.

My optimism levels will rise considerably if the teamsheet shows Scott McKenna starting at left centre-back alongside either John Souttar or Grant Hanley (take your pick given how poor both were in Greece) and Lawrence Shankland up front. Scottish football’s most prolific marksman was overlooked for a starting berth at the Euros and we know how that panned out. Now that he is back in rich form, the Hearts captain could be the one to hang our hats on for ending what will be 28-years of World Cup absence, particularly after Che Adams’ sitters in Greece. A late Shankland winner is my hunch. From the bench, I suspect.

Prediction: Scotland 2-1 Denmark

Graham Falk

For a generation of Tartan Army fans, next summer’s World Cup is so close, they can almost taste it. The battling draw in Denmark, the struggle against Belarus, the late smash-and-grab against Greece at home, followed by whatever it was that happened in Piraeus at the weekend, it’s been quite a hectic last few months for the national team. The 72-day qualification campaign has been anything but straightforward, and yet we arrive at the final game with the equation never simpler. Win and you’ve ended a 28-year wait for Scotland to return to the world stage, fail to win and the playoffs await.

I’m not sure that I believe in fate, but there’s something about the little droplets of luck that Scotland have been handed in this campaign that makes me believe this is the time they finally do it. I fancy Scotland to take an early lead, get nervous, concede midway through the second-half, before Scott McTominay bags late, and whips his shirt off in celebration after sealing top spot in the group and automatic qualification. A nostalgic hit of Baccara plays over the Hampden tannoy, as everyone frantically checks SkyScanner on the way home to check the cost of flights to the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Prediction: Scotland 2-1 Denmark.

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