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Scotland vs England: Head to head statistics
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Scotland vs England recommended bets
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Scotland vs England match preview
151 years after the first-ever international football match, old enemies Scotland and England will go head-to-head in this anniversary friendly in Glasgow.
On St Andrew’s Day in 1872, these two met at Hamilton Crescent and, in front of little over 4,000 spectators, played out a goalless draw; this international football malarkey will never catch on!
The pair have met 114 times subsequently, but Scotland have rarely come into a clash with their fierce rivals in more confident mood.
On Friday night, the Dark Blues beat Cyprus 3-0 in Larnaca, with Scott McTominay, Ryan Porteous and John McGinn all on target in the opening half an hour at AEK Arena.
This, remarkably, leaves the Tartan Army nine points clear at the top of Group A, having won five out of five so far.
This includes prevailing 2-0 when Spain visited in March, before a comeback 2-1 victory over Norway in June, in which Lyndon Dykes and then Kenny McLean were both on target in the final three minutes in Oslo.
If not, Scotland can make this official in Seville next month, knowing a draw at Estadio de La Cartuja could also secure top spot.
Given that this is a friendly, the pressure is off, so expect a party atmosphere in Mount Florida, although every single Tartan Army member is desperate to see a victory here.
England meantime were unable to maintain their own 100% record in Euro qualifying on Saturday, held to a 1-1 draw by Ukraine in Wrocław, with Kyle Walker bagging his first-ever international goal.
Before this, Gareth Southgate’s team had enjoyed impressive victories over Italy in Naples and Ukraine in London, and can confirm qualification when the Italians visit Wembley on 17 October.
Ahead of this one, the Three Lions are targeting a first victory at Hampden since Paul Scholes’ brace in the Euro 2000 play-offs, following a thrilling 2-2 draw when they last visited in 2017.
The pair subsequently clashed at Wembley during Euro 2020, with Scotland leaving with a famous ‘0-0 win’.
This time, will the Tartan Army have a first home victory over their neighbours since 1985 to celebrate?
Scotland team news
This is of course a friendly, but expect Steve Clarke to name a very strong side, making minimal changes from Friday’s win in Cyprus.
Scott McTominay is currently the joint-top scorer in Euro 2024 qualifying, netting six times in five appearances, hoping to add to his tally here.
Captain Andy Robertson will win his 66th cap, with only ten Scotsmen having accumulated more.
Angus Gunn, who only switched allegiance from England earlier this year, will start for a sixth match in succession, having conceded only once so far, this an Erling Braut Håland penalty in Oslo.
In attack, Ché Adams is set to lead the line, with Lyndon Dykes nursing an injury.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Gunn; Porteous, Hendry, Tierney; Hickey, Gilmour, McGregor, Robertson; McTominay, McGinn; Adams.
England team news
In contrast, Gareth Southgate is likely to rotate his team, although he won’t be able to call upon Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Mason Mount or Jack Grealish.
Jordan Pickford remains the undisputed number one, but Aaron Ramsdale will be hoping to win just his fourth cap in goal.
Centre-back Levi Colwill and centre-forward Eddie Nketiah are dreaming of making their senior international debuts, even if only from the bench.
Marc Guéhi got the nod alongside Harry Maguire in Wrocław, while Lewis Dunk, Colwill and Fikayo Tomori are the other centre-back options here.
Jordan Henderson started in midfielder on Saturday, despite now plying his trade for Al-Ettifaq, while Manchester City’s forgotten man Kalvin Phillips will be looking for some much-needed minutes.
Record goal-scorer Harry Kane bagged a 93rd minute equaliser on his only previous appearance at Hampden, so will he add to his 58 goals for England here?
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Trippier, Maguire, Tomori, Chilwell; Phillips, Gallagher, Bellingham; Foden, Rashford, Kane.
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