Slovenia vs Scotland – Match preview and team news

Scotland travels to Ljubljana to begin their UEFA Nations League B campaign against Slovenia on Saturday at Stadio Stožice.

Slovenia vs Scotland – Match preview and team news

Slovenia are facing a major setback ahead of their UEFA Nations League clash, as star striker Benjamin Šeško has been ruled out due to a persistent shin injury.

The Manchester United forward's absence leaves a massive void upfront, forcing Boštjan Cesar to alter his attacking plans. Slovan Bratislava's Andraž Šporar or Swansea City's Žan Vipotnik is expected to lead the line in Šeško's absence.

The squad has also been hit by a defensive crisis, with centre-back Kenan Bajrić and young defender Marcel Ratnik both pulling out due to injuries sustained in club action.

In response, Cesar has handed late call-ups to Basel forward Žan Celar and veteran Omonia left-back Jure Balkovec to reinforce his options.

Amidst the tactical reshuffle, Slovenia will heavily rely on the leadership of world-class goalkeeper and captain Jan Oblak , who is set to earn his 85th international cap in Ljubljana.

Scotland enter a brand-new era under newly appointed manager Sébastien Pocognoli , who faces a challenging debut marred by high-profile squad omissions.

The incoming boss will be without the services of experienced midfielder Kenny McLean and veteran left-back Kieran Tierney , both of whom were forced to withdraw earlier this week due to ongoing fitness issues.

Scotland's attacking depth is also severely tested, as reliable forwards Che Adams and Lawrence Shankland are unavailable for selection.

To combat these absences, Pocognoli has initiated a massive squad overhaul, introducing eight uncapped players to the senior setup.

Blackburn Rovers' 22-year-old midfielder Kristi Montgomery was drafted in as a late replacement for McLean.

In the final third, the recently recalled Oli McBurnie is widely tipped to lead the line, potentially partnering with either Robbie Ure or Lewis Ferguson to spearhead Scotland's new-look frontline.

Slovenia enter this fixture in a rough patch of form, having secured just one victory in their last ten matches. Their recent summer international friendlies ended in disappointment, featuring a 1-1 draw against Cyprus followed by a 2-1 defeat to Croatia . After failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Boštjan Cesar's side is desperately searching for defensive stability on home soil, looking to overturn their sluggish momentum and kickstart a successful Nations League campaign.

Scotland's form has been highly turbulent, culminating in back-to-back defeats that ended Steve Clarke's managerial tenure. During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Tartan Army bounced back from early friendly losses to beat Haiti 1-0, but subsequent losses to Morocco (1-0) and Brazil (3-0) triggered a group-stage exit. Now under Sébastien Pocognoli, they aim to snap a two-match losing streak and clean up a leaky defense.

Slovenia: Oblak; Karnicnik, Drkusic, Bijol , Brekalo ; Lovric , Cerin, Elsnik; Horvat, Vipotnik; Sporar

Scotland: Gunn; Welsh, Binks , McKenna; Hickey, Ferguson, Gilmour, Robertson ; McGinn ; Ure, McBurnie

You can watch the match live in the UK on BBC One and BBC One Scotland.

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