England v Scotland betting tips: Pressure on Scots to spring Wembley surprise
Preview and odds for the Group D match
England and Scotland renew their historic rivalry when Wembley hosts their long-awaited Euro 2020 showdown on Friday night.
The Three Lions are off to an encouraging start after beating Croatia but Scotland will need to cause an upset if they are to qualify after losing to the Czech Republic.
Friday’s match is live on ITV and kicks off at 8pm as we highlight a few potential England v Scotland betting tips.
England v Scotland match odds
Sunday’s game against Croatia was England’s 10th opening match at a European Championship and the first time they have managed to win.
They previously drew five and lost four but, courtesy of Raheem Sterling’s second-half goal, the Three Lions started Euro 2020 with three points.
Given the rankings of the other nations in Group D, that in theory was England’s toughest test and to come out of it with the victory will give manager Gareth Southgate and his players hope moving forward.
In contrast, Scotland’s 2-0 defeat at Hampden Park came in what looked their easiest game and they head south as 10/1 underdogs, with England 1/3 for the win and the draw 15/4.
Patrik Schick’s brilliant double has left their hopes of progressing hanging by a thread, with Scotland now 5/1 to qualify for the knockout stage and just 4/11 to finish bottom of the group.
England have won seven matches in a row and conceded just one goal – against Poland – in that time so a win to nil can be backed at 20/23 while a fourth successive 1-0 victory is 9/2.
Scotland had scored in five successive matches before being blanked by the Czechs and both teams to score is priced at 13/10.
England v Scotland head-to-head
Scotland are taking on the Auld Enemy for the first time since qualifying for the 2018 World Cup when England were 3-0 winners at Wembley but had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Hampden.
There have been at least three goals in each of the last four meetings and that run is 20/23 to continue while Scotland will be given plenty of reminders of the Euro 96 clash in the build-up to the game.
Goals from Alan Shearer and Paul Gascoigne secured a famous 2-0 win for the hosts 25 years ago and that result is 9/2 to be repeated.
Previous XI
England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Trippier, Mings, Rice, Phillips, Mount, Foden, Kane, Sterling.
Scotland: Marshall, O’Donnell, Robertson, Hanley, Cooper, Hendry, McTominay, McGinn, Christie, Armstrong, Dykes.
Team news
Southgate says Harry Maguire will be involved but has not decided whether he is ready to start. Maguire has been sidelined since suffering ankle ligament damage playing for Manchester United in May but has taken a full part in training this week.
Scotland have been handed a boost after Kieran Tierney was declared fit and available for the game. The Arsenal defender missed the Czech Republic game with a niggle.
Key battles
Southgate has plenty of attacking options at his disposal and much more strength in depth than his opposite number Steve Clarke.
Sterling’s goal against Croatia was his first at a major tournament finals in what was his 13th appearance across World Cup and European Championship games.
The Manchester City forward has been in fine form for England in recent times and is 9/2 to again open the scoring.
Scotland created plenty of chances against the Czech Republic and will look to get Andrew Robertson forward when possible so his match-up with Kyle Walker will be important while Kalvin Phillips was the best performer against Croatia and will try to limit the influence of Scotland midfielder John McGinn.
View the latest Euro 2020 odds
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
