ScottishNews.com

Sébastien Pocognoli’s side go into the game with renewed confidence after Saturday’s 2-0 victory over North Macedonia in Skopje delivered the first win of the new manager’s reign.

Kieron Bowie opened the scoring with an impressive early finish before John McGinn converted a second-half penalty, although Scotland ended the match with 10 men following Scott McKenna’s late red card.

That result leaves Scotland on four points from their opening three matches in League B Group 1, level with Slovenia and five behind leaders Switzerland.

With only two games remaining after tonight, victory at Hampden would move Scotland three points clear of Slovenia and strengthen their chances of finishing at least second.

The group winners will be promoted automatically to League A, while the runners-up will enter a promotion play-off against opposition from the top tier next March.

It gives Pocognoli an opportunity to end his first international window with seven points from four games after what has been an eventful beginning to his Scotland reign.

His first match finished 0-0 against Slovenia in Ljubljana on 26 September, when Scotland improved significantly in the second half but could not find a winner.

Three days later, an early Jack Hendry red card changed the complexion of Scotland’s first home game under Pocognoli as Switzerland went on to win 3-0 at Hampden.

Pocognoli talked about the North Macedonia match ahead of tonight’s game: “It was important because it was the first win. We were happy after the game, but we knew that we have to show it again in three days at home, in a different context with a different opponent – and we have to start again.”

He added: “Tomorrow is an important game for the ranking. If you draw away, you have to deliver something at home.

“We create more chances, so that’s a positive with the new group of players with totally new principle.

“The reality is we have to win tomorrow and score goals.”

Should he play tonight, Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour is in line to collect his 50th Scotland cap, six years after making his competitive international debut against England at Wembley during Euro 2020.

Andy Robertson, meanwhile, made his 100th appearance against North Macedonia and is now only two caps short of Sir Kenny Dalglish’s men’s record.

Slovenia will again present a different challenge to North Macedonia. The teams drew 0-0 in Ljubljana only 10 days ago and Slovenia demonstrated their own ability by beating North Macedonia 2-0 in their following match.

They will, however, be without one of their biggest attacking threats. Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko is among the players who have withdrawn from the Slovenian squad, with Swansea City forward Zan Vipotnik an option to lead the attack.

At the other end, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak remains one of Slovenia’s most experienced and influential players and Scotland discovered in Ljubljana how difficult they can be to break down.

Pocognoli expects another demanding night: “We face a team with a clear structure. They have good movement and good connection between the players and they did well against Switzerland.”

A likely Scotland XI could see Angus Gunn start in goal behind a back three of Welsh, Hendry and Binks, with Gannon-Doak and Robertson operating as wing-backs.

Lewis Ferguson and Gilmour are candidates for the central midfield positions, with McGinn and Oli McBurnie supporting Bowie further forward.

After the frustration of the Switzerland defeat, a second successive victory would change the complexion of Scotland’s Nations League campaign considerably.

Seven points from four matches would put Pocognoli’s rebuilt side in a stronger position heading into November’s closing double-header against North Macedonia at Hampden and Switzerland away.

Scotland v Slovenia kicks off at 7.45pm at Hampden Park. The match will be shown live on BBC Two Scotland, with coverage beginning at 7.30pm.