England vs Scotland
The ‘auld enemy’ match-up of international football and a contest which is getting the majority of British football fans excited.
And so it should.
For it’s rare enough that England and Scotland get to lock horns, let alone in a major competition like Euro 2020.
Ever since the demise of the Home Internationals and the Rous Cup in the late 1980s, all-British meetings have been few and far between.
Friday night’s clash at Wembley, however, should not signify a return to the days when both ranks were amassed with quality.
Talking Points
Think back to some of the players Scotland used to produce: Ally McCoist, Graeme Souness, Gordon Strachan and, of course, Kenny Dalglish and Denis Law to name just five.
Fast forward to the current day and for all the talent and promise of the likes of Kieran Tierney (an injury doubt), Andy Robertson and Scott McTominay, there is no one in the ilk of the aforementioned in midfield and attack and that will cost the Scots dearly.
The Tartan Army joined 23 other nations at the tournament following a pulsating penalty shoot-out win against Serbia in November that made the whole country boogie.
Yet they face a mammoth task to qualify for the last 16 after losing their opening game of Group D against Czech Republic at Hampden Park on Monday.
Steve Clarke’s side are rank outsiders and realistically would not have qualified had it still been a 16-team competition instead of 24 (the format was extended in 2016).
The manager has found himself subjected to some pretty fierce analysis about his team selection for the Czech game which is pretty harsh considering the limited options at his disposal.
By contrast, England impressed as they defeated Croatia 1-0 in their opening encounter and have options aplenty.
Jack Grealish missed training on Tuesday as England manage the Aston Villa midfielder’s workload following his return from a shin injury, while Dean Henderson has withdrawn from the squad with a hip injury. Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale has replaced the Manchester United goalkeeper.
England believe that they have the quality to defeat Scotland and create Euro 2020 highlights. Cheered on by 22,500 fans – of which fewer than 3,000 will be Scots – it is hard to see anything else.
The ‘auld enemy’ clash has become, in 2021 at least, David versus Goliath.
History
November 1872 was the very first meeting between these two nations and they fought out a goalless draw at Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow.
It is considered to be the venue for the first-ever international football match.
Since then, the meetings have thrown up just about everything, resulting in 48 England triumphs, 41 Scotland wins and 25 draws.
Their only previous meeting at a European Championship tournament came 25 years ago, virtually to the day, and needs little introduction for a generation of football fans.
For those who don’t know, England triumphed 2-0 with one of the great Wembley goals, moments after Scotland missed a penalty kick.
The decline in the standard of the Scottish national team since the turn of the millennium is evident in that they have won only once in their last 11 clashes.
That was a Euro 2000 qualifier at Wembley when Scotland won 1-0 through a Don Hutchison goal, although failed to reach the tournament after a Paul Scholes double had won England the first leg for a 2-1 aggregate success.
Their most recent meeting came four years ago in a World Cup qualifier and was definitely a case of the late, late show.
England led through an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain goal going into the final three minutes when Leigh Griffiths hit a memorable double only for Harry Kane to equalise in the third minute of added time.
Betting Tip
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England vs Scotland | England Asian Handicap -1.75 @ 2.40 |
| June 19, 03:00 (GMT+8) |
The SBOTOP Euro 2020 betting odds point to England all the way and I cannot see this being anything but a one-sided encounter.
The Three Lions are available to back in a host of ways: 1X2 @ 1.33, First Half 1X2 @ 1.86, Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.09 and First Half Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.42.
Scotland, by contrast, are available to back 1X2 @ 8.75, First Half 1X2 @ 7.60, Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 2.66 and First Half Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.56.
Another 2-2 draw with Correct Score options will payout at a whopping @ 36.00, while any form of draw is available @ 4.70.
If you fancy goals, how about over 2.75 of them @ 2.19 or over 3.00 @ 2.63.
Total goal 4-6 will pay @ 3.35, as will total goal 0-1.
I simply cannot see past a promising England side defeating a distinctly average Scotland team with something to spare.
My *** tip is Asian Handicap England -1.75 @ 2.40.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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