England vs Scotland: prediction, preview, team news / UEFA Euro 2020

Friday evening sees a huge showdown in Euro 2020’s Group D, as England host Scotland at Wembley.

England and Scotland have the oldest rivalry in football history, but this game is bigger than most, being their first clash in a major tournament since 1996.

The Three Lions opened their Euro 2020 campaign with a 1-0 win over Croatia on Sunday, while Scotland suffered a 2-0 loss to the Czech Republic, with Steve Clarke’s side now having ground to make up in Group D.

England have actually now been victorious in their last seven matches in all competitions, conceding just once during that run.

The Three Lions, who have not made it past the quarter-finals of the European Championship since reaching the final four in 1996, are unbeaten in their last four games with Scotland, although the two nations played out a 2-2 draw when they last locked horns in 2017 during qualification for the 2018 World Cup.

Scotland, who finish their Group D campaign against Croatia on June 22, are playing in their first European Championship since 1996, when they also famously took on England in the group stage, and first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup.

England vs Scotland predictions:

• England have won their last seven matches, six of them to nil.
• Scotland have only won two of their last eight matches.
• Harry Kane scored 23 Premier League goals last season and scored in all eight of England’s Euro 2020 qualifiers.

England got their Euro 2020 campaign off to a winning start last Sunday by defeating 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia 1-0.

Incredibly, the victory was the first time England had ever won their opening game in the European Championships.

The win means England’s unbeaten streak now stretches to seven games, and they’ll be hoping to keep that momentum going in this encounter.

Meanwhile, Scotland suffered a devastating defeat upon their return to a major tournament on Monday.

Despite dominating portions of the game, they fell to the Czech Republic 2-0 at Hampden Park, with Patrik Schick’s second goal – a shot from the halfway line – instantly going viral.

The loss leaves Scotland likely needing a win here to escape the group stages, although Euro 2020’s format does mean a loss wouldn’t eliminate them from the tournament.

With games dating back to 1872, England vs Scotland is one of the most storied rivalries in football, and it’s a closer one than some might expect.

England have 48 wins over Scotland, but have also suffered 41 losses to their rivals. There have also been 25 draws between the two – including their last meeting in June 2017 which ended 2-2.

Most pertinently though, the two sides met in the group stage of Euro 1996, with England coming away with a famous 2-0 victory.

England are unbeaten since 1999 against Scotland and have won three of their four meetings since.

Scotland, by contrast, have only won one of their last six away games and lost in Slovakia and Israel last November.

This game should be full of blood and thunder and may be more akin to a Premier League fixture than a major international one – meaning anything can happen.

England have a far stronger squad than Scotland and have performed far better than their rivals in their opening Euro 2020 game.

Scotland looked rather toothless against the Czech Republic, and it’s unlikely they’ll be able to break England’s defense down. At the back, Scotland likely won’t be capable of keeping England’s attack quiet for too long.

Our prediction: England win @ 1.32