Scotland vs England: Preview & Betting Tips

Scotland entertain old foes England at Hampden Park on Saturday night in what will be a crucial World Cup qualifier for next year’s tournament.

Understandably, England are the bookmakers favourites to win the game as they ran out comfortable 3-0 victors in the reverse fixture at Wembley back in November 2016.

Gareth Southgate’s side have won four of their five qualifying games so far to sit top of Group F and they will take another huge step towards qualification for Russia 2018 if they come away with all three points this weekend.

However, Scotland will be no pushovers as they are strong at home and the hard working Scots will be desperate to get a positive result on Saturday to boost their own qualifying hopes.

Gordon Strachan’s men have taken seven points from their five games so far to sit fourth in Group F but a win over Slovenia on home soil last time out will give them confidence this weekend.

Previous meetings

Having won the last meeting back in November, England also came away victorious from Hampden in November 2014 thanks to an impressive 3-1 friendly win.

The Three Lions also won a five-goal thriller in August 2013 – which was the first meeting between the old enemies for 14 years. Scotland had actually won the previous game with a 1-0 win at Wembley back in 1999 after England has won the first leg of the Euro championship play-off 2-0.

Betting tips

England are the favourites and the fact they haven’t lost a qualifying game since 2009 means it’s a hugely difficult task for Scotland. However, four of England’s last six away games in World Cup qualifies have ended in draws and Scotland have a decent home record having lost just twice in the last four years.

The football odds have England at 7/10 to win the game or 9/2 on Scotland but I like the sound of a draw in this game which is on offer at 12/5. I do think England are likely to start the stronger of the two sides so Harry Kane at 7/2 as first goalscorer is a tempting bet.

However, I can see Scotland growing in to the match and snatching a 1-1 draw which is available at odds of 6/1. If we throw in Kane as first scorer in a 1-1 draw we can get excellent odds of 25/1 – which is certainly worth a few quid.