IT'S the game Scotland fans have been waiting 15 years for – but now it's here it doesn't seem quite so important.
Scotland and England clash north of the border for the first time in 15 years after last season's thrilling friendly at Wembley which the home side won 3-2.
The game comes three days after the Scots beat the Republic of Ireland in a Euro 2016 qualifier that everyone accepts was the bigger game.
Auld Enemy clashes will never be real friendlies but I get the impression it won't be as hard fought as Scotland-Ireland was on the same Celtic Park turf.
Scotland are a bigger price to win tonight than to qualify for France 2016 – and I know what I'd prefer. McBookie slashed the odds on the Tartan Army making a first finals visit in 18 years from 2-1 to 11-8 after Shaun Maloney struck his wonder winner.
England are a biggest 11-4 at Betfred to notch a brag-busting victory but the Scots have lost just one in 10 and I don't expect them to lose (rememeber I'm biased).
Roy Hodgson's men are 23-20 with McBookie and William Hill while the draw pays a best 12-5 (various).
Danny Welbeck and Raheem Sterling are expected to start along with Wayne Rooney and Scotland keeper Craig Gordon and his defence will have to be at their best.
Welbeck could be the dangerman and his double against Slovenia at the weekend took his tally to five in four internationals. He is 11-2 at bet365 to break the deadlock.
I tipped Wayne Rooney to score first on his 100th cap at the weekend and he is 19-4 at 888sport to repeat the feat.
Rooney and Welbeck scored in the same match for the second time in three matches on Saturday. At least one of them has netted in England's last five outings. Both to score pays 5-1 at William Hill.
For Scotland our main man has been Shaun Maloney and his winner against the Irish was sublime. The little Wigan star is 12-1 at bet365 to score first while Everton's Steven Naismith will be a threat and is 8-1 with the same firm.
Odds compiler Owen Scott of William Hill gets the prize for cheesiest special. His “Yellow” is Scotland striker 9-4 Chris Martin, in for the injured Steven Fletcher, to be booked but has a chance if he starts.
Much has been said about it being an “unfriendly” friendly but with both sides coming off the back of more important Euro wins let's hope we see some decent football.
If you think it's fiery consider backing a red card in the game at 3-1 with bet365 while four or more cards pays 5-4.
Five goals at Wembley suggests there will be a few more tonight and remember England will be without first-choice keeper Joe Hart and preferred left-back Leighton Baines.
Both teams to score pays 9-10 at McBookie and BetVictor and over 2.5 goals is 23-20 at McBookie.
Recommended Bets
Scotland not to lose
(3-4, bet365)
Both to score
(9-10, McBookie, BetVictor)
Welbeck to score
(2-1, bet365, BetVictor)
Over 3.5 cards
(5-4, bet365)
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.
The friendly at Wembley last year was one of the most enjoyable games I saw all season.
Let’s hope for more later.
For the record I think it’s got an honourable score draw written over it.
1-1, as the last half hour will probably be a non event, as no doubt the club managers will have demanded their players don’t play the full 90
Over 2.5 goals 11/10,
Mr F, as an England fan I would think we would learn more from facing Germany, France, Italy or a Spain in preparation for the Euros. England have only two days to prepare and will be resting players, and Scotland big game was against Ireland. I would like this game played at the end of the season, when club sides wont demand certain players to be rested.
thechief, whatever cub sides are saying isn’t being heard. It looks like 2 changes to the Scotland team that beat Ireland – both enforced. And Hodgson’s side looks close to full strength too with Forster probably in for Hart. A lot of England will players will learn a lot about themselves in a Celtic Park cauldron.
I like the card bet Mr F, just for a heads up, for 1 more card (or less depending what colour) over 45 booking points on WillHill @ 12/5. That’s 5 yellows or 3 yellows and a red.
I think this game will be played in a similar manner to Fridays game with Ireland. I’m going to go for a draw @ 12/5 and 1-1 @ 6/1 for small stakes. I agree with you fixit about Scotland not losing. England are as poor as I can remember and Scotland have been excellent recently but to be fair I am Scottish. CMon the Jocks!!
I think the game will be more like a premier league game or an old firm derby, I just think we need to test ourselves against the likes of Germany, Spain and France who will keep the ball in midfield ahead of the Euros. England will learn from the cauldron of Celtic Park but don’t think we really need it mid season, when I suspect a few changes to the line up and many changes during the game.
England have been tested against such sides in countless major tournament’s and come up short.
Yet have beaten Spain, Brazil etc in friendlies.
This tells me that these teams don’t go full on in friendlies, and England would be better getting battle hardened against the likes of Scotland, who are now in the 2nd tier of international sides along with England.
Scotland have moved up to this tier and England have dropped into this tier recently, which is what makes this a more interesting game.
I really hope this is a good game as a traveling England fan I can’t wait. I’m really looking forward to going to Celtic Park for the first time and soaking up what should be a great atmosphere.
This for me is a game that could go either way depending on substitutions late in the game or even at half time.
For the record in the last game there were 4 yellow cards, 11 corners and as many will remember 5 goals.
With this in mind I’ve gone for a mixture of the 3 to come in doubles and a treble on bet365 for the goals I have done over 2.5 as think it’s unlikely we will get another 5 goal thriller this evening.
Good luck with whatever you all do!
i personally think people are getting carried away with scotland. they have improved massively under strachen and i rate him as a manager. but how many scotland players would make the england team? if england match scotlands passion and commitment then there quality will shine through. im lumping on an england win and smaller stakes on england -1
gav ffc, as a Scotland fan I could ask myself: How many England players would make the Scotland team? The answer is not many. Our weakness is in central defence so maybe have Cahill and we’re a little short up front so Sturridge when he’s fit. That’s all for me. The thing about Scotland is they are a team not a bunch of individuals. The job Strachan’s done can’t be over-estimated and we are seriously hard to beat these days.
Maloney 2-2 pays 130/1 with skybet.
Probably as unlikely as price suggests however the wee man is flying, I fancy a draw and think England’s strikers are too good for our central defence.
Brown to be carded 2/1
must admit to agreeing with The Chief…from a competitive viewpoint this is one game just from a personal level I would rather have done without … come the end of the season when guys are getting their name called up to the podium to receive their pots…this one will have no relevance …… training ground wins for me tonight again…. should be a great atmosphere though
In agreement robert and The Chief. A meaningless friendly that by tomorrow will be forgotten about bar the clowns in the tartan army who lost track of reality long ago. Full house, good atmosphere then back to the real footballing world tomorrow.
RAAL, sorry for gate crashing the thread, got a non betting related question for you, my sons team have made it through to the last 16 of the scottish cup u13’s, there are 2 teams through along with them Edina hibs and tynecastle fc, I was wondering if you know if these teams are hibs and hearts pro youth teams?
Smackeroonies both are decent sides and Tynecastle are one of the best around at all age levels. Tynecastle are basically a feeder team for Hearts although some of their prospects do go elsewhere. Edina Hibs would be the weaker of the two I would imagine.
mr fixit i agree that scotland are playing as a team. and like i put before strachen is a fantastic manager. but i think england will have to much going forward for scotland. i see alot more pace in our forward players and i can see them stretching the scotland defence. it will be an interesting game and you may well be right. but this is just my opinion and i will be backing england to win
gav ffc, we’re both biased remember.
Cheers RAAL, we’ll be hoping to avoid them in the draw then
Mr f flip that one around and ask yourself how many scotland players would make the England team? Are you saying Rooney and sterling wouldn’t get into the Scotland team haha
Ryan 180, my question was in response to exactly that. Rooney and Sterling wouldn’t get near the current Scottish team – because it’s a team and the sum of the 11 players is more important than individuals as far as Strachan is concerned. It’s about opinion and I’m obviously biased.
A little harsh comments from gav ffc their, I think England do have the better quality but they have never hit the heights under Roy, im yet to see an amazing show from England. Scotland have only 1 defeat in 10 against the world champions and even then we held our own. Everybody has their view ofcourse but im yet to talk to an England fan who is confident. Scotland is playing with belief, passion and are well organised unit but like I say if England play to their best abilty then hate to say it they may edge it. I really fancy a draw tonight but as a Scotland fan may have a small wage on Scotland to win an btts
cant see how ive posted anything harsh stevie h? youve basically put what i have that england could have to much and win. im not knocking what scotland have achieved the best team youve had in years. hope its a good game
TheChief i’m sorry but I think you are underestimating Scotland by saying that England would learn more from facing likes of Germany, Spain and France who will keep the ball in midfield as you put it…. have you not watched any of Scotlands games recently as keeping the ball in midfield is one area that we are very strong and the football we play at times is very good… I think that England will learn just as much from facing us as they would against those other teams expect they will also learn how to deal with a passionate crowd as they are our 12th man.
TODAYS TIPS
SCOTLAND VS ENGLAND
This is too hard to call for me so I’m going with a value goalscorer punt. Phil Jagielka has shown that he will be a threat going forward with set pieces. Jagielka scored against San Marino last month and he also scored against Peru in May. He’s also been getting on the scoresheet for his club Everyon where he has scored against Liverpool in Sept, Everton last month and Lille less than 2 weeks ago. I’m hoping that Scotland win tonight but I can’t ignore Bet365’s price of 18/1 for Jagielka to score anytime.
Recommended Bet:
PHIL JAGIELKA TO SCORE ANYTIME @ 18/1
Fair enough mr f, I don’t think england are great but they do have a few world class players and scotland don’t! Draw tonight for me 1-1
Ryan 180, Scotland have at least one world class keeper, Andy Robertson will be world class and Shaun Maloney scored a world class goal against Ireland. What more do we need? That’s my last word on the game – good luck Scotland.
3-2 sterling few quid for me and on your ss
England -3 16/1 1pt
Rooney fgs 11/2 2pts nb
Over 4.5 goals 11/2 1pt
1st team to score 3 18/5 5pt nap
1st team to score 3 england 18/5 5pt nap
Hasheyb you cannot be serious thinking that Engurland are going to beat Scotland by more than 3 goals
Maverick, that’s not his tip – read it again.
I can’t see past an England win tonight. But it won’t be a betting game for me.
16/1 worth a point. Think englands quality will tear some team apart when they all click. Could be scotland you never know.
On the cards here
think i called that spot on more quality in the final 3rd made the difference. lumped on england 6/5 and had a fair bit on england -1 at 3-1 happy days