It is a big game for both of these home nations.
England got off to a flier in matchday one after pulling off a 1-0 win over Croatia and will be on home soil once again whereas Scotland fell to a 2-0 defeat to the Czech Republic, ending their scoring run of five consecutive matches.
Scotland have given themselves a mountain to climb after losing and things won’t be any easier facing off against a strong England side.
- Head to head:
This will be the 33rd head to head at Wembley in which none of the previous have been goalless. England have lost just once against Scotland in five attempts W3, D1, L1. In those head to head games England have scored 11 goals and conceded just six goals.
- Odds:
England are 1/30 to win the game and Scotland 10/0 to win the game.
- Previous Defensive Record:
England have managed to keep a clean sheet against Croatia whereas Scotland fell to a 2-0 loss.
- Players to watch:
England’s Raheem Sterling has ended up on the winning side in his 11 previous international goalscoring matches – the best scoring 100%-win record in England’s history, he also got the winner in their game against Croatia in matchday one. Of the 18 players who hit 2+ shots on target in matchday one, Scotland’s Lyndon Dykes was one of five who didn’t score.
- Team News:
Kieran Tierney (Scotland) remains a doubt but could make the team after a late fitness test.
- Predicted Line-ups:
England possible starting line-up: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Mings, Shaw; Phillips, Rice, Mount; Sterling, Kane, Grealish
Scotland possible starting line-up: Marshall; Hendry, Hanley, Tierney; Forrest, McTominay, McGinn, McGregor, Robertson; Armstrong; Adams
Managers view:
Gareth Southgate, England: “It’s hugely special for everybody involved, and especially the supporters of both teams. So it does add a different dynamic to the qualifying group we’re in, there’s no question about that. But the good thing is, from our perspective, we had to go to Hampden in qualifying for the World Cup and had the game at Wembley [drawing 2-2 away and winning 3-0 at home].”
Steve Clarke, Scotland: “It’s very historic. It goes back a long way; it means a lot. And people say it doesn’t mean a lot to the English, but having worked in England I know it means a lot to the English; they don’t want to lose to Scotland. And it’s the same the other way around. You know how passionate we are, and how much we enjoy beating the English. It hasn’t happened too much recently.”
Last six form guide:
England: WWWWWW
Scotland: LWDWDD
Obviously, this game is all about getting “one over your rivals” although England will make history if they do secure the win as they have never won their first seven matches in a calendar year, whilst their last run of seven consecutive wins came between September 2014 and March 2015.
A second consecutive loss for Scotland will all but spell the end of their short appearance at this tournament, but a win for England will confirm progression out of the group stages and they may even afford to rest some players in their final group game against the Czechs.
This tie tends to bring out the best in Scotland though but no matter the result for Scotland, fans from both camps should be treated to an exciting game given the four previous head to heads in this century have averaged a high of four goals per match so they should not be left disappointed.
