Prediction: England vs Scotland

Verdict: England win by 2+ goals

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

In what is a mouth-watering all-British showdown on Friday night, England will welcome Scotland to Wembley in what could be a lively affair in the capital.

England

Starting with the hosts, making their much-anticipated opening appearance on home soil last weekend, England really managed to lay down a professional marker. Managing to come past a Croatia side that ended their World Cup dreams out in Russia three years ago, The Three Lions were fully deserving of their 1-0 win against The Blazers at Wembley. Receiving a string of praise from Head Coach Gareth Southgate and with an attacking line-up that has seen them tipped as one of the standout picks this summer, the former Aston Villa defender has seen his side continue on a winning run over the past seven months. While they might have failed to impress with their back-to-back 1-0 friendly wins against Bulgaria and Austria in the North East earlier in the month, England have won each of their last seven matchups across all formats. Also getting March’s World Cup qualifiers off to a flying start, Southgate will be impressed by his side’s continued displays at the back. With Croatia offering very little in the final third last weekend, Friday’s hosts have conceded just a single goal in over 700 minutes of action.

Team News

Still dealing with an ankle issue despite returning to light training, Harry Maguire is once again expected to miss out on Friday night and Tyrone Mings should retain his spot.

Having to settle for a spot on the bench in Sunday’s opener against Croatia, Jack Grealish will be hoping to make his first appearance at a major tournament this weekend.

Scotland

As for the visitors, while Scotland might have also had all eyes on them as they made their major tournament return last weekend, it wasn’t quite the fairy tale ending they would have hoped for. Despite creating some clear-cut chances against the Czech Republic at Hampden, The Tartan Army were hit with a 2-0 defeat on home soil after Patrik Schick bagged a stunning double in Glasgow. Although Head Coach Steve Clarke might have seen his side stun many from across Europe with their dramatic penalties victory out in Serbia seven months ago, Scotland have largely failed to build off of that success with much stability. Despite eventually having to settle for a 2-2 draw in an action-packed friendly meeting against former European champions Holland earlier in the month, Friday’s guests have won just a pair of their last seven matchups across all formats. Without a win against their British rivals since 1999, Scotland should face another stern test at Wembley.

Team News

After missing Scotland’s 2-0 defeat against the Czech Republic last week, Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney has been given the green light and should feature on Friday night.

Coming off the bench and impressing at Hampden, Southampton striker Che Adams is pushing for a starting spot up top.

Key Factors to Consider

• England have won each of their last seven straight matchups across all formats, conceding just a single goal.
• Likewise, The Whites have also won 15 of their last 16 home fixtures, including their last seven on the spin.
• Gareth Southgate’s men have conceded just a single goal in any of their previous seven matchups on home soil.
• The Tartan Army have managed to win just a pair of their last seven matchups across all formats since that victory out in Serbia seven months ago.
• Scotland have not beaten their British rivals since 1999.

Conclusion

Managing to impress as they opened their Group D campaign with a deserved 1-0 win against Croatia at Wembley, England should be looking to lay down a real marker when their British rivals come to town on Friday night. Only continuing to gain a reputation for their continued success on home soil and now in the midst of a seven-match winning run, Scotland should face another stern test this weekend. Only marking their return to the major tournament stage with a 2-0 defeat against the Czech Republic in Glasgow, it is hard to see anything other than a home victory here. Without a win against The Three Lions since way back in 1999, Gareth Southgate’s side should be confident of wrapping up their spot in the knockout stage.

Verdict: England win by 2+ goals

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet