Scotland vs Japan Betting Tips, Predictions & Odds
The World Cup Play-Offs are happening this week and, for a change, Scotland fans have absolutely nothing to worry about, given that they have already qualified! It’s unusual that, at this stage of the qualification process, the Tartan Army fans have nothing to be concerned with. That is due to that incredible night at Hampden vs Denmark in November.
A win for Scotland would have secured qualification and that night started with a bang when Scott McTominay scored an overhead kick in just the third minute to send Hampden wild! The game actually went really stale after that and it was still 1-0 at half-time.
Denmark came into the game a bit more and ten minutes into the second-half, Scotland captain Andy Robertson gave away a penalty which Hojlund dispatched to make it 1-1. Less than five minutes later though, Rasmus Kristensen was sent off for a second yellow card, a bit soft but probably correct. Then on 77 minutes, a Lewis Ferguson corner found its way through to Lawrence Shankland who was unmarked and tapped it in from close range.
Hampden erupted but that joy was short lived as less than five minutes later, the ball was bouncing round the box and Patrick Dorgu showed composure to sidefoot the ball into the net.
Then the drama happened.
In the 92nd minute, a Kenny McLean long ball was knocked down and eventually rolled to Kieran Tierney who curled it first time into the corner, what a huge moment and excellent strike. That wasn’t even the end of it! In added on time to the added on time, Scotland hounded Denmark to win the ball back and it found its way to McLean who drove forward, noticed Schmeichel off of his line and shot from inside his own half and scored to secure the game 4-2!
That was the last time Scotland played and the fans are still reveling in that glory. There’s been some interesting inclusions this time round with Findlay Curtis included in the senior squad for the first time. Angus Gunn is in despite barely playing for Nottingham Forest with Grant Hanley at Hibs being in a similar boat. Andy Irving moved to Sparta Prague in January and has been rewarded with a call up but many familiar faces remain in the squad, whether their club form merits it or not.
Japan will be a tough opponent and indicative of the quality that will be at the World Cup. They’re well organised, athletic and are currently ranked #19 in the world. This is a great test to see where this Scotland squad is at and where it’s lacking.
Scotland vs Japan Tips
Here are our top three betting tips and the best free bets ahead of Saturday's game in Glasgow.
Tip 1: Over 2.5 goals
Here’s how Scotland’s last five matches have gone;
Scotland 4-2 Denmark
Greece 3-2 Scotland
Scotland 2-1 Belarus
Scotland 3-1 Greece
Belarus 0-2 Scotland
Four out of the last five fixtures have had at least three goals in them and three of them have had more than three.
Here’s how Japan’s last five matches have gone;
Japan 3-0 Bolivia
Japan 2-0 Ghana
Japan 3-2 Brazil
Japan 2-2 Paraguay
USA 2-0 Japan
Three out of the last five have had at least three goals with one of those having four and the other having five goals. In the last ten fixtures across both sides, seven of them have had over 2.5 goals which is why I think this is great odds with the betting sites.
Particularly in a friendly where both teams will be trying out new players and potential new systems or styles of player, I think there will be plenty of goalmouth action and goals on Saturday evening.
Tip 2: Ayase Ueda or Scott McTominay to Score
This is another bet that I think the odds are excellent on. Ueda is one of the most in-form strikers in the world, for both club and country. Domestically for Feyenoord he’s scored 22 goals in 26 appearances, averaging just under a goal every 90 minutes at 0.95 goals P90. He’s also carried that on for Japan and in nine qualifying matches he scored eight goals.
So in the league and Japan’s qualifying campaign, he’s scored 30 goals in just 35 appearances, incredible form for a player just hitting his peak!
For a midfielder, Scott McTominay has a great record for Scotland with 14 goals in 67 total caps. In the qualifying campaign he scored two in six which included that incredible overhead kick vs Denmark which was crucial in getting Scotland to the World Cup. He’s scored seven in 25 Serie matches and four in eight in the Champions League, carrying on his great goalscoring form from last season.
Both players are probably the biggest goalscoring threats for their respective countries and assuming both start, this is a very decent bet for me.
Tip 3: Both teams to Score, Ayase Ueda 2+ shots on target & Scott McTominay 2+ shots on target
Most of the parts of this bet I’ve already covered but, again, I think the odds are really good here. In a game where there should be a lot of chances and the game will be open, particularly with it being a friendly, I don’t think it’s outwith the realms of possibility that both teams biggest goalscoring threats both manage two shots on target each.
Both teams to score is another that I think is about as safe a bet as you’ll get in this one. Scotland have not only scored in their last five but they have also scored more than once in all of those fixtures. Japan have also scored at least once in their last four fixtures and have kept clean sheets in the last two but think Scotland will have enough going forward so they don’t make it three in a row.
It’s been a while since the last time Scotland played and that was an incredibly exciting game, albeit stressful, hopefully this one goes the same way, especially with nowhere as much on the line for either team!
Where to Watch Scotland vs Japan
At Free Bets, we aim to deliver more than just tips and here's how you can watch Saturday's clash at Hampden.
TV Channel
Brighton vs Liverpool will be broadcast live in the UK on BBC One Scotland.
Live Stream Information
The match can also be streamed live in the UK via BBC iPlayer.
Scotland vs Japan Match Information
Here's everything you need to know before kick-off.
Kick-Off Time
Scotland vs Japan is scheduled to kick off at 5:00pm.
Fixture Date
The match is scheduled for Saturday, 28 March, 2026.
Stadium
The match will be played at Hampden Park in Glasgow, the home of Scottish football.
More Football Tips
Check out more football betting tips for what promises to be a another busy weekend of football action!
