SCOTLAND must beat the Auld Enemy to keep their World Cup hopes alives but could face a Kaning.
I'd love to tip a win for Gordon Strachan's side – or even a draw – but my heart says we're not good enough.
My two main reasons for pessimism are: 1. We don't score enough and 2. We concede too many. It's a combo that's a recipe for disaster.
Victory over Slovenia last time out was welcome and helped by Strachan picking the core of Celtic's treble-winning side but England are a step up.
And while all Scots will always be up for this one the English have embraced it since the fixture was revived after an absence of 14 years.
They won friendlies in 2013 and 2014 and spanked us 3-0 at Wembley in last year's World Cup clash.
No wonder bookies have Gareth Southgate's men at a best 8-11 (William Hill) to win with Scotland as big as 5-1 at Unibet. The draw pays 11-4 with betfair.
Patriotic punters will stick fivers and tenners on that but nationalism doesn't pay the bills.
The striker Scotland will have to fear is Harry Kane who banged in seven goals in two games in the final five days of the Premier League campaign.
Our only hope is he and his fellow millionaires have enjoyed their holidays too much and aren't yet back in full working mode.
Kane is my tip to score first at 19-5 with McBookie and he is 13-10 to net. His Spurs team-mate Dele Alli will also have to be watched and he is 13-2 and 12-5 at McBookie respectively.
The Premier League's Golden Boot winner says he fancies a hat-trick and that pays 35-1 with William Hill.
If you're looking for a bigger price you could do worse than back Gary Cahill. The centre-half is regular contributor for Chelsea and netted the third at Wembley last year. He is 33-1 with Paddy Power to score first and 13-1 to net at any time.
Scotland's hopes up top will rest on Leigh Griffiths. He puts in a decent shift but no goals in 12 internationals is a concern.
Griffiths is 4-1 at bwin to score and 10-1 with bet365 to break the deadlock but his Parkhead pal Stuart Armstrong could be a better bet.
He netted in the Scottish Cup Final to complete a sparkling season and is 14-1 at bet365 to score first and 7-1 with 888sport to hit the target.
And following his saving strike against Slovenia it would be remiss to leave out Chris Martin who is 19-4 at 888sport to net.
Another worrying stat for Scotland is one Hampden win over the English in 40 years and just three goals scored in that spell.
While we normally concede England have kept eight clean sheets in their last nine competitive games and are 19-20 at Ladbrokes to do so again. To win to nil Southgate's side are 31-20 with McBookie. Craig Gordon is 10-3 at bet365 to record a shut out.
Scotland have won just two of their last eight games but at home their only defeat in six was 3-2 to world champions Germany. To avoid defeat we are 5-4 at bet365.
In all derby-type contests there is a chance of a red card and that pays 9-4 at Skybet.
Skipper Scott Brown is 10-1 with McBookie to be first player booked and he'll have support. He is 6-4 t be cautioned at any time.
Hull's Andrew Robertson will be tested at the back and is 14-1 while you can get 25-1 for either keeper.
Scottish bookmakers McBookie.com are offering 14-1 Brown will prove Paul Scholes wrong with a man of the match performance.
The midfielder will be out to prove he can mix it with the best from the Premiership and is 12-1 to find the back of the net.
Paul Petrie, McBookie.com spokesman, said: “This is a big chance for Scott Brown to prove to all the doubters in England he truly is a class player. Let’s hope he does exactly that.”
Unless Scotland win today they'll be competing with Slovakia and Slovenia for second place – and both our rivals should win today.
Slovakia are 8-11 with William Hill and Ladbrokes to win away to Lithuania. It was 4-0 to the Slovaks in Vilnius and they face a side who haven't scored in their last three games.
Consider Slovakia to win to nil at 11-8 with bet365 and William Hill.
Slovenia face group whipping boys Malta at home and are no bigger than 1-10 at Marathonbet with McBookie going 2-5 they win without conceding.
Recommended Bets
England
Kane to score first
Kane to score
Cahill to score
Brown to be carded first.
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Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Not one England player would get in any team in Europe. First half performance a disgrace.
Unfortunately Scotland not good enough to take advantage – yet.