England Vs Scotland
England Vs Scotland Friday 18th June, 2021 – 20:00
UEFA Euro 2020, Group D
Pick: England Win & Over 2.5 Goals
Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Boylesports
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 16th June 2021)
Preview: Gareth Southgate inspired England to a 2-0 victory the last time these teams met at a major tournament, at Euro 1996. Will he have the same affect as manager when Scotland pay The Three Lions a visit at Wembley for the second fixture in Group D?
UEFA Euro 2020 Betting at Betfair
Table of Contents
England – More to come from Southgate’s side?
An economical performance at Wembley was rewarded with a 1-0 win over a bitterly disappointing Croatia, as Raheem Sterling’s 15th goal for his country proved the difference in a contest of few chances. The majority were carved out by England, though, who are now strong favourites to top Group D which would see them come up against one of France, Germany or Portugal in the Round of 16.
Raheem Sterling’s inclusion came as a surprise, on the back of some questionable form last season at Man City. However, he responded to the doubters in kind with his 19th goal involvement (13 goals, 6 assists) from his last seventeen England appearances. Many expected the killer instinct to be provided by Harry Kane, although the 2020-21 Premier League Golden Boot winner was well below his best.
That win bolstered England’s faultless record in 2021, with five of six said victories either seeing them Win To Nil or Win & Under 2.5 Goals. The last three, meanwhile, all finished 1-0. However, The Three Lions have tended to cut loose when facing the Auld Enemy (Scotland). In the four previous meetings, England have won three and drawn the other, averaging 2.75 goals and scoring exactly three in each victory.
Scotland – Czech setback leaves Tartan Army on brink?
A first match at a major tournament ended in an all too familiar feeling of disapointment for Scotland, who were a lot better than the scoreline depicted as they were beaten 2-0 by the Czech Republic at a raucous Hampden Park. Steve Clarke knows his side must now win one of their remaining two matches – against England at Wembley and Croatia at Hampden Park – to have any chance of progressing out of Group D.
Although the result itself was painful, the performance was encouraging as Scotland went about testing a Czech defence which had developed a habit for conceding regularly but somehow kept its first clean sheet for six games. Andy Robertson was magnificent from the left, creating six chances – the most in Group D on Matchday 1, as Scotland also generated the highest xG figure (1.9) in this section.
It wouldn’t be a surprise, then, were Steve Clarke to alter his starting XI in search of a cutting edge, with Che Adams a shock omission from the forward line last time. That blank does, however, mean the Scots have failed to score in five of their last seven European Championship matches. An improvement on this front is plausible, though, scoring five in their last four meetings with England (D1 L3).
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England Vs Scotland Betting Advice
Although there were some encouraging signs, even in defeat, for Scotland on Matchday 1, you get the impression that they were playing at near full capacity. Whereas England rather went through the motions against stronger opposition in the shape of Croatia, with Jordan Pickford reduced to a mere spectator in goal as The Three Lions recorded their sixth straight win of 2021, five of those being to nil.
England Vs Scotland – Key Facts:
- The last four encounters between England and Scotland have seen an average of four goals in the match, with England scoring at least twice in all four, winning three.
- Following the 1-0 win against Croatia, England have now won all six matches played in 2021, scoring 12 and conceding only once. Winning To Nil on five occasions.
- A 2-0 loss to the Czech Republic represented a first loss of the year for Scotland (W2 D3 L1), who also failed to find the back of the net for the first time in 2021.
Another England Win To Nil might prove popular, however, Scotland weren’t shy in creating chances last time, and should be stronger for the likely introduction of Che Adams in attack. Furthermore, England are still looking light at the back in the absence of Harry Maguire. So there could be goals for a change – especially as Scotland simply have to go for broke at some stage.
The last four matches between these sides average four goals, with England triumphant on three occasions.
Best Betting Odds – England Vs Scotland
England – 1/3 (Boylesports)
Draw – 9/2 (BetFred)
Scotland – 9/1 (PaddyPower)
