Scotland host Japan at Hampden Park on Saturday evening as Steve Clarke fine-tunes his squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup this summer.Clarke has been bullish about Scotland’s World Cup hopes and that he wants to be the first ever manager to take the Tartan Army out of the group stage. Celtic’s Daizen Maeda could well win his 27th cap for Japan at Hampden, but there was no place for Hoops teammate Reo Hatate again.Scotland v Japan best betsBoth teams to score – 3/4 with Boyle SportsBet Builder: Scotland to win, BTTS, McTominay to score first – 18/1 with 247betDaizen Maeda to score anytime – 5/2 with 247betScotland v Japan betting tips, predictions, team news and how to watchScotland v Japan latest oddsFind the latest Scotland v Japan betting odds here, courtesy of Boyle Sports and subject to change.Scotland – 2/1Draw – 9/4Japan – 23/20Scotland v Japan predictionScotland’s fringe players still have time to “stake their claim” for World Cup places despite there being “more depth” in the squad now, says Scotland’s assistant coach Steven Naismith.Kilmarnock’s Findlay Curtis has been called up for the first time, while Andy Irving, Dominic Hyam, Ross McCrorie and goalkeeper Liam Kelly are in squad and could pick up just their second caps.Clarke issued a rallying cry to his players and to the nation as a whole ahead of this summer’s tournament in North America. It’s an opportunity look at some new players but also consolidate who will be the mainstays when they face Haiti in their World Cup Group C opener.“The burning desire is to be the first manager to take us out of a group” said Naismith.“It’s quite an exciting challenge, these next two games, because a couple of countries that Scotland aren’t used to playing, maybe stylistically, very different as well.“It was a conscious decision to get fixtures like that (Japan and Ivory Coast). They’re two really tough games. That’s the level you are going to come up against at the World Cup.”Japan have included Premier League trio Daichi Kamada, Ao Tanaka and Kaoru Mitoma in their squad to face Scotland and England in this March international break.But alongside Hatate’s omission, former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is out with injury, following his move to Ajax in January. So are national team captain Wataru Endo and playmaker Take Kubo.Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu has praised Scotland’s ‘high-intensity’ in the lead up to Saturday’s fixture.He said: “Scotland, based on what we have seen in the qualifiers so far, basically creates a block, stops the opponent’s attack, and then launches a quick counterattack.”Japan pose real attacking threats themselves, but will miss the dynamic Kubo which could sully their goal-threat. Scotland v Japan betting tipsBoth teams to score – 3/4 with Boyle SportsBoth managers will be experimenting ahead of the summer, but will want to build momentum with just four matches until they depart for the World Cup.It could turn this one into a real end-to-end, intense battle, despite it being labelled a friendly.With the likes of Scott McTominay, Ryan Christie and Ben Gannon-Doak in the Scotland side and Mitoma, Maeda and Feyenoord striker Ueda for Japan. There won’t be a shortage of attacking talent on show.Bet Builder: Scotland to win, BTTS, McTominay to score first – 18/1 with 247betHome advantage may be the telling factor in this one. Scotland have won their last three games on home turf. Scott McTominay scoring in two of those games, including the opening over-head kick in the victory over Denmark.The Scotland talisman is in the form of his life since moving to Napoli and will be the Scots major goal threat.Daizen Maeda to score anytime – 5/2 with 247betMaeda admitted Hampden Park stands out as the best British stadium for atmosphere he’s ever played in. The Japanese forward has three goals in the stadium, including in the 2024 Scottish League Cup final against Rangers.His familiarity with the stadium may prove fruitful for the Blue Samurais.Scotland v Japan predicted lineupsScotland (4-1-4-1): Gunn; Robertson, Hanley, McKenna, Ralston; Ferguson; Gannon-Doak, McGinn, McTominay, Christie; ConwayJapan (3-5-2-1): Suzuki; Ito, Taniguchi, Seko; Hashioka, Morita, Kamada, Doan; Maeda, Mitoma; UedaHow to watch Scotland v JapanLocation: Hampden Park, Glasgow, ScotlandDate and time: Saturday 28th March 2026, 5pmHow to watch: BBC One Scotland, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport WebsiteFind more predictions and betting tips from our expert punters in our match previews on the Champions League, Premier League, Championship, League One and more!Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.orgRemember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGambleAware – www.gambleaware.orgFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.Free Bet OffersSee all the best free bets and betting offers available in the UK over at our dedicated pageSee all free bets18+ gambleaware.org. T&Cs apply