Just over 25 years on from their epic Auld Enemy clash at Euro 96, England and Scotland again lock horns as they collide at Wembley Stadium in Group D at Euro 2020.
Depending on the result of Croatia’s clash against Czech Republic, victory could send England top whereas Scotland could move off the foot of Group D with a win.
Team News
Dean Henderson is ruled out for England after withdrawing from the squad with a hip injury on Tuesday, with Aaron Ramsdale named as his replacement as Sam Johnstone becomes second-choice goalkeeper.
Henderson’s Manchester United teammate, Harry Maguire however is fit to return after recovering from an ankle injury.
Scotland have no fresh injury concerns but manager, Steve Clarke could ring the changes as Scotland chase a win.
Stat Attack
- England won their only previous meeting against Scotland 2-0 in Group A at Euro 96, coincidentally in which current Three Lions manager – Gareth Southgate played that game at centre-back.
- Scotland won just one of their last seven matches at Wembley across all competitions (W1, L6), as Don Hutchinson scored the only goal in a 1-0 win in November 1999 in a Euro 2000 Qualifying Play-Off.
- England have scored three goals in each of their last two home matches against Scotland, although all six goalscorers are no longer part of the Three Lions squad.
- Steve Clarke’s Tartan Army have lost two of their last four away matches by 1-0 results (W1, D1, L2), losing to Slovakia and Israel in November 2020 in UEFA Nations League action.
- England come into this match having conceded just once in their last seven matches dating back to mid-November 2020, with six of those seven matches held on home soil.
Prediction
Having scraped a win despite their dominance over Croatia in fiercely hot conditions on Sunday, England face another difficult test in what are set to be cooler but wet conditions yet if they play like they did against Croatia then they should have enough to score at least twice.
Scotland meanwhile were simply outplayed by Czech Republic in their opener despite often playing well on the attack, which could well again be the case here so their defence needs to be on top form whilst taking their chances clinically up front.
On that note, I reckon that this could well be a scrappy contest between the two home nations given that a majority of their players know each other well at club level, yet I just can’t see past an England win if they bring their A game here and are clinical.
Prediction: England 2-0 Scotland
Result: England 0-0 Scotland
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