England v Scotland current combined XI: Who makes our ‘in-form’ line-up?
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England and Scotland meet for the 113th time on Friday, November 11th at Wembley, in the oldest international football fixture in the world.
While the Three Lions are narrowly leading 47-41 in head-to-heads (with 24 draws), the last three at this stadium (new and old) have all produced memorable occasions.
From Rickie Lambert’s winner in a 3-2 triumph last time three years ago to ‘that’ Paul Gascoigne goal at Euro 96, and not forgetting Don Hutchison’s shock winner in 1999, this encounter is not to be missed with more history set to happen.
The two nations are certainly nowhere near their best, so Coral have really had to scrape the barrel here out to create an England v Scotland current combined XI…
Goalkeeper: David Marshall
Joe Hart will the obvious choice for many, with his Torino team impressing in Serie A, but the England stopper has still looked shaky out in Italy of late.
Instead, we’ve gone for Hull City’s Marshall who has been one of the few shining lights for the struggling Premier League side this season.
Right back: Nathaniel Clyne
Again, this was a close call, as Clyne and Kyle Walker have both been impressive this season, but we’ve chosen the latter as his Liverpool team currently top the table.
The 25-year-old has been an ever-present for the Reds this term in the league too, so interim England boss Gareth Southgate knows he can rely on him.
Centre back: John Stones
Along with Clyne, Stones has featured in every Premier League match of the season so far, and has looked good for his new side Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, despite showing some signs of his immaturity.
Former Everton star Stones gets in ahead of his old clubmate Phil Jagielka and error-prone Chelsea defender Gary Cahill in the heart of defence.
Centre back: Michael Keane
Although perhaps one of the more controversial choices in this team, Keane is arguably the most in-form and his performances have attracted the likes of Chelsea.
Despite being released by Manchester United at an early age, he is finally starting to show his promise and is certainly in line to make his England debut.
Left back: Danny Rose
Southgate has decided to pick three left backs in his current England squad, but Rose gets in ahead of Ryan Bertrand and uncapped Aaron Cresswell. Though, if Scotland duo Andrew Robertson and Kieran Tierney were fit they’d have given him a run for his money.
Rose has been highly impressive for Tottenham this season, particularly in the big games, as he scored an equaliser over Liverpool and got an assist against Man City in a 2-0 win. He’ll be the perfect player for this fixture then!
Centre midfield: James McArthur
Scotland fans will be relived to know that they have at least multiple players in this team, and McArthur has been smashing in the goals for Crystal Palace this term.
The versatile midfielder bagged a brace against Liverpool while was also on target in wins over both Stoke City and Sunderland. McArthur is a hugely tempting 8/1 price to score anytime against England.
Centre midfield: Jordan Henderson
Reds skipper Henderson has also been in-form for his team this season, and has been one of the unsung heroes for the Merseysiders as they top the league by a point after 11 games.
The supposed successor to Steven Gerrard has chipped in with two assists this term, as well as a goal which was a screamer against Chelsea.
Right wing: Robert Snodgrass
It might be a surprise that relegation zone dwellers Hull have a second representative and Scotland a third in this XI, but Snodgrass has been in fine form despite his side’s seven losses this term in the top-flight.
Snodgrass has scored four times from the wing, including last time out against Southampton where he also gained an assist in a crucial 2-1 win.
Attacking midfield: Adam Lallana
Liverpool are the most represented team in this side, though, as Lallana makes it three for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Lie Henderson, Lallana has been overshadowed by the likes of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho this season, but has still been an important player for the Reds, netting three and setting up a further five from 11 games.
Left wing: Raheem Sterling
Former Kop idol Sterling started the season in fine form, scoring four and assisting three for Man City, although he hasn’t contributed a lot in the last five fixtures.
The Jamaica-born attacker gets in just ahead of Arsenal’s Theo Walcott, who has also looked good this term.
Striker: Wayne Rooney
Finally, due to the fact that none of England or Scotland’s strikers are in scoring form and that he’s been confirmed to start, Rooney gets the nod up front and has bagged a brace against them previously. He is 6/1 to do so again.
The likes of Marcus Rashford, Daniel Sturridge, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy are nowhere near in good enough form, while Leigh Griffiths has been used scarcely this season by both Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers and national coach Gordon Strachan.
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