Scotland v Ivory Coast betting tips, predictions and bet builder – World Cup preparations step up for Tartan Army

Mar 31, 2026 - 07:15

Scotland continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup as they take on Ivory Coast at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Tartan Army lost 1-0 to Japan at Hampden Park to extend their wretched record of not having won a non-competitive match at home for a DECADE.

But despite that loss, Ivory Coast represent another welcome test as both nations tune up for the 2026 World Cup in three months time.

Elsewhere, Andy Robertson could win his 92nd cap for Scotland, which would move the full back into outright second for the most in the national team’s history (overtaking Jim Leighton, 91). Only Kenny Dalglish (102) has played more often for Scotland.

Scotland v Ivory Coast best bets

Both teams to score & draw – 16/5 with 247bet
Bet builder: Nicolas Pepe and Ryan Christie both to score anytime – 45/1 with 10bet
Kieran Tierney to score anytime – 14/1 with SBK

Scotland v Ivory Coast betting tips, predictions, team news and how to watch

Scotland v Ivory Coast latest odds

Find the latest Scotland v Ivory Coast betting odds here, courtesy of SBK and are subject to change.

Scotland – 5/2
Draw – 43/20
Ivory Coast – 59/50

Scotland v Ivory Coast prediction

Ivory Coast dispatched North Korea 4-0 last week, but coach Emerson Fae warned his side this will be a step up in quality against Steve Clark’s Scotland.

He said: “I believe Scotland are at a higher level than South Korea and it will be a very big test for us.

“They are a strong team and it will give me a good chance to prepare my final World Cup squad list.”

Scotland will again be without stars Craig Gordon, Ben Gannon-Doak, Aaron Hickey and Lawrence Shankland. But there will be many players ‘on the bubble’ of Clark’s squad intent on leaving their mark on this international break.

The Scotland manager said as much in his post match comments on Saturday: “I anticipate there will be six or seven changes [against Ivory Coast on Tuesday] … I want to look at some personnel on the pitch … it will be a little bit different on Tuesday night.”

With heavy rotation expected, Ryan Christie, Kieran Tierney, Billy Gilmour, Anthony Ralston, Che Adams and John Souttar could all start.

For Ivory Coast, Odilon Kossounou, Franck Kessie and Elye Wahi all sat out in the weekend’s win, but so the trio could start in this one.

Whether starting or coming from the bench, Man United’s Amad Diallo could be the Elephants’ chief threat, alongside Crystal Palace-loanee Evan Guessand and former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe now at Villarreal.

Amad Diallo has been directly involved in seven goals in his last nine games for Côte d’Ivoire (4 goals, 3 assists), including six in his last six starts (4 goals, 2 assists).

Scotland v Ivory Coast betting tips

Both teams to score & draw – 16/5 with 247bet

Both nations should heavily rotate from their weekend exertions, so while they’ll be players champing at the bit.

The match may look a little disjointed as team chemistry begins to build.

It should mean we get an end-to-end game, but clear cut chances might come at a premium.

Scotland will want to give their supporters encouragement ahead of the summer. But Ivory Coast will pose a stern test.

With that being a said a low-scoring draw may be the play.

Bet builder: Nicolas Pepe and Ryan Christie both to score anytime –45/1 with 10bet

Nicolas Pepe scored in his last two La Liga appearances before the international break, and will surely start this game after only playing the final 11 minutes against South Korea.

Now 30, the forward has matured a lot since his days at Arsenal and could be a thorn in Scotland’s side on Tuesday.

Ryan Christie has been used as box-crashing midfielder for Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola. But whether he plays deep-lying or further forward, his long-range shooting could prove pivotal here.

Christie scored a great goal against Manchester Utd recently and could get himself into position against a heavily-rotated Ivory Coast.

Kieran Tierney to score anytime – 14/1 with SBK

Kieran Tierney doesn’t score many goals. But he did score one of the most important in Scottish football history back in November. Scoring the decisive third goal in the 4-2 victory over Denmark to seal their passage to the 2026 World Cup.

His return to Celtic has seen the left back find the net five times in all competitions, the most in a single season in his career.

This is a real outside shout, but Tierney may have the scent for it now.

Scotland v Ivory Coast predicted lineups

Scotland (4-2-3-1): Gunn; Ralston, Souttar, McKenna, Tierney; Christie, Gilmour; McGinn, McTominay, Curtis; Adams

Ivory Coast (4-3-3): Lafont; Singo, Diomande, Kossounou, Konan; Guiagon, Sangare, Kessie; Diallo, Wahi, Pepe

How to watch Scotland v Ivory Coast

Location: Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, UK
Date and time: Tuesday 31st March 2026, 7:30pm
How to watch: BBC Scotland, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website

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