It’s a game that stood out from the fixture list when the draw for Euro 2020 was made some 18 months ago in Budapest.
On Friday night, the Auld enemy will lock horns at Wembley, as England face Scotland. After a relatively comfortable opening win for Gareth Southgate’s men at a steamy Wembley last Sunday, the Three Lions are firms favourites to book their place in the last 16, with victory against their neighbours.
BoyleSport, BetFred and William Hill all have England at 1/3 on to beat Steve Clarke’s men. The Scots meanwhile, wasted a number of chances against the Czechs in their respective 2-0 loss at Hampden on Monday, but are a better side than the bookies’ valuing suggests.
Highly motivated and with a host of Premier League stars set to face-off, Scotland must avoid defeat in north London, and if a price of 10/1 with William Hill for the win is slightly eye-opening, the draw at 9/2 is a little more appealing, with both Bet365 and Betfair.
As the two meet in a rematch of their Euro ’96 clash, England won out after Alan Shearer’s opener and Paul Gascoigne’s memorable solo goal, in a 2-0 win. If you fancy a repeat of the scoreline on Friday evening, SkyBet will give you 9/2 odds.
Before Gazza’s goal under the Wembley arch on that Saturday afternoon in June 25 years ago, David Seaman had produced a save – via his elbow – from Gary McAllister’s spot-kick seconds earlier. Given both country’s intriguing penalty narrative, can Scotland still boogie from 12 yards, or will captain Harry Kane net his first of the tournament from the spot? For a penalty to be taken, SkyBet currently offer a 13/8 price, whilst for a penalty to be missed, 8/1 could rake in the rewards. Individually, Bet365 are offering rather more enticing value, and for Scotland to again miss a penalty at Wembley, 28/1 odds are very eye-catching, whilst to successfully convert, 12 /1 is similarly attractive.
Finally, for those of you who like your player to score markets, Southampton’s Che Adams is likely to start against the country of his birth on Friday. For the Scotland striker and his opposite number Kane both to score, 11/1 is there for the taking, again with SkyBet.
