Scotland take on Switzerland at Hampden on matchday two of the 2026/27 Nations League, with Sebastien Pocognoli aiming to mark his home debut as manager with a statement win. The Belgian boss began his tenure with a goalless draw away to Slovenia in Ljubljana on Saturday, a result that followed a flat first half but an improved display after the restart.
Pocognoli's Early Squad Changes
Pocognoli handed debuts to Stephen Welsh and Robbie Ure at the weekend, while striker Oli McBurnie returned to the national team for the first time in five and a half years. The Scots now face a Switzerland side that top Group E after a 3-0 win over North Macedonia in Skopje on Saturday.
Murat Yakin's team, who reached the quarter finals at the summer World Cup, have risen to 14th in the FIFA World Rankings and boast stars including Manuel Akanji, Ardon Jashari and Johan Manzambi. With a packed Hampden crowd behind them, Scotland will hope to upset the odds as they look to kickstart their Nations League campaign.
Record Sport Writers' Predictions
Scott McDermott: Scotland 2-2 Switzerland. Pocognoli will hope for a repeat of the second half against Slovenia, when his side pressed high with aggression, intensity and tempo, creating chances. At Hampden, they can take a couple of them this time, but Switzerland are a top side and Scotland's back three still needs work, so they will concede opportunities too. Expect goals, but the new manager might have to settle for another point.
Scott Burns: Scotland 2 Switzerland 1. There were promising signs against Slovenia, and Pocognoli will be looking for his team to take the next step and score goals. Burns is confident that will happen, getting the Swiss at a decent time with a couple of key players missing.
Keith Jackson: Scotland 1-3 Switzerland. If Saturday was a gentle dip in the international paddling pool, the water wings will come off against the Swiss. His side will have to function a great deal better than it did in Slovenia just to stay afloat. In many ways, the level of performance will be more important than the result.
Anthony Evans: Scotland 1-1 Switzerland. Scotland's second half display in Ljubljana was encouraging, but Pocognoli's men will need to be at it for 90 minutes against the Swiss. Yakin's team are fresh off another quarter final finish at the World Cup and, despite the absence of veterans Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo, are oozing with quality. Three points at Hampden would give Pocognoli a huge statement victory so early in his reign, but a share of the spoils might be the outcome.
Gavin Berry: Scotland 1 Switzerland 1. After a dug-out debut away from home, the Hampden factor now comes into play, but the quality is going up a notch from Slovenia. Switzerland took eventual World Cup finalists Argentina to extra time in the last eight and cruised to victory in their Nations League opener with an impressive 3-0 win in Skopje, so they are capable of grabbing a point in Glasgow.
Ryan McDonald: Scotland 1-2 Switzerland. Pocognoli gets his first taste of Hampden and will demand more of the same after a promising second half in Slovenia. But this is a different test against the group's toughest opponents. The Swiss are far more established, even without Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo, and that is expected to show. Scotland will compete, but Switzerland might just edge it.
