Scotland vs England predictions: Improving hosts to stand firm
- Scotland have won their last five games
- The last two meetings have ended in draws
- Recommended bet: Scotland or tie double chance
Scotland are making great strides under manager Steve Clarke and now is the chance to show the progress they have made against an elite nation in England.
The Tartan Army are in blistering form and find themselves in pole position of their Euro 2024 qualifying group having won all five of their matches, which includes accounting for the likes of Spain and Norway.
The Scots have climbed 20 places to 30th in the world rankings and now need only two points from their final three qualifiers to guarantee their place at next summer’s European Championships in Germany.
England also had a 100% qualifying record until Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Ukraine, where they posted a flat performance and needed a Kyle Walker equaliser to spare their blushes.
On the back of that stalemate on neutral ground in Poland, Gareth Southgate is sure to ring the changes for this friendly encounter against their local rivals.
That may only boost the chances of Scotland, who are a force to be reckoned with when armed with home advantage.
Team news
Liam Kelly and Elliot Anderson had to withdraw but Clarke otherwise has a fully-fit squad to choose from with Ryan Christie, Stuart Armstrong and Lyndon Dykes all pushing for a place in the starting 11.
England squad regulars Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and John Stones are out injured.
Levi Colwill, Phil Foden, Aaron Ramsdale, Callum Wilson and Eberechi Eze will all be hoping for game-time.
The stats
Scotland have won each of their last five internationals and they have been in irresistible form at Hampden Park, where they have lost only one of their last 10 internationals.
The Tartan Army have won their last six home games and they have conceded only one goal in that run, shutting out the likes of Ukraine, Spain and Georgia.
England were held to a 1-1 draw by Ukraine in Poland on Saturday, which means they have failed to win in four of their last seven away internationals.
Both teams have scored in only three of England’s last nine matches.
The last two meetings between these nations have ended all square, including the 0-0 group-stage clash at Euro 2020 at Wembley.
Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay is in outstanding goalscoring form for Scotland and sits joint top of the Euro 2024 qualifying scoring chart with six goals so far.
Prediction
Scotland are a nation on the rise and they can showcase their improvements against an England side that flattered to deceive at the weekend against Ukraine.
The Three Lions dominated possession in that 1-1 draw, but they lacked creativity and it seems likely that Southgate is going to ring the changes for this friendly encounter at Hampden Park.
That could leave them vulnerable away at Auld Enemy rivals Scotland, who should be oozing with confidence after going five from five in Euro 2024 qualifying.
Their rich run of form includes wins over Spain, Norway and Georgia, and they have little to fear against England, who they held to a goalless draw in Euro 2020 at Wembley.
Scotland have won their last six home games and they look a good bet to avoid defeat against an England outfit that has failed to win four of their last seven away assignments.
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