Scotland vs England: Epic Clash in Europe's Biggest Showdown

England and Scotland, neighboring countries on the same island, both have a deep passion for football. However, it is rare for them to have the same level of hopeful anticipation before a major tournament. As these long-standing rivals gear up for their 150th anniversary friendly match, they are also keeping an eye on the upcoming European Championships. Both teams have remained undefeated throughout their qualifying campaigns.

England and Scotland are on the verge of securing qualification for next summer's Euros in Germany, a historic achievement for both nations. Steve Clarke's Scotland, in particular, has been the standout performer in qualifying, boasting a flawless record and accumulating more points than England in a potentially more challenging group. As a result, both teams approach their upcoming fixture on Tuesday night with great confidence. Despite being finalists in the previous Euros, England's aspirations for the upcoming tournament are clouded by uncertainties surrounding Gareth Southgate's future. Therefore, this could be the last opportunity for the England manager to claim a major trophy.

Meanwhile, following a 22-year absence from the international stage, Scotland has experienced a golden era under Clarke, with two major tournaments in two years. Having already achieved victories against formidable opponents such as Spain and Ukraine, Scotland is eager for more surprises in the coming 12 months. Their journey begins on Tuesday night as they face England, despite the latter's Premier League wealth and Scotland's meager representation of only two players in this year's Champions League. History has demonstrated that despite the contrasting levels of experience, these matches can still be closely contested.

England's last triumph against Scotland dates back to 2016, during Gareth Southgate's inaugural year as coach. The two most recent encounters between the teams concluded in nail-biting draws. In 2017, Scotland came agonizingly close to securing a significant win at Hampden Park during a World Cup qualifier, courtesy of two unforgettable Leigh Griffiths free-kicks. However, Harry Kane dashed their hopes by scoring an equalizer in stoppage time.

During a rain-soaked European Championships group stage game at Wembley, Scotland managed to secure a 0-0 draw against England. Steve Clarke's team had the closest opportunity to secure points through two significant chances created by Steven O'Donnell and Lyndon Dykes. With an impressive five-game winning streak and a nine-match unbeaten run, Scotland enters this match with heightened confidence, fueled by recent triumphs over Spain and Erling Haaland's Norway. This encounter marks their greatest opportunity to defeat their rivals in 25 years.

So, is this actually a friendly? No chance.

Southgate: Experimenting would be ridiculous

"We need to achieve a balance between physical conditioning, acquiring experience, learning about players, winning matches, and performing well. These expectations are standard for our team, England. We cannot afford to make unnecessary changes to the lineup since we will be facing a formidable opponent who will present us with a tough challenge. Excessive experimentation would be utterly absurd.

"It is quite unfortunate to consider this situation, given that we are playing against Scotland tomorrow. However, I supported Scotland in 1978 (during the World Cup) since our team did not qualify. I vividly remember the disappointment of watching their matches against Peru and the Netherlands. Nevertheless, since 1982, my allegiance has solely been with England."

This fixture has been a fantastic opportunity for me to meet and collaborate with numerous players throughout the years. It is an extraordinary game, characterized by a friendly rivalry that some may worry could go too far, but in reality, it is a brilliant display of sporting competition. Being a part of this game is a thrilling experience.

We view it as a test for our team, taking place in an intimidating atmosphere. These types of nights have been crucial for our development, so it will be exciting to see how those who have not yet experienced them will handle the challenge. We should embrace this opportunity and remind ourselves that our focus should always be on the team and demonstrating our dedication to it.

Clarke: We're trying to close the gap

"It's been 150 years in the making so they're always good games, always competitive games.

"In the modern era, England has undoubtedly made progress and has gained a slight advantage in my lifetime. Our goal is to narrow the gap between us, and tomorrow's match will determine how much progress we've made.

"It will be a friendly yet competitive game, if such a thing exists. Both teams will have the desire to win. The players from both sides, who frequently cross paths in different clubs throughout the season, will be vying for the rights to boast about their victory."

We will aim to extract what we require from this game, as there are certain elements that I would like to witness on the field. It will be a test for us to play against formidable opponents, something that we will encounter frequently in the upcoming 12-18 months.

Gareth will utilize the game according to his preferences. The specific formations or the condition of both teams and their respective camps hold little significance once the game is underway, due to the intense atmosphere. The teams will be highly competitive, resulting in an exciting match.

Will Colwill and Nketiah get their England chances?

"Kieran Trippier is going to be in the news conference with Gareth Southgate today, which is usually an indication he will start.

"Does that mean he'll be at right-back instead of Kyle Walker or left-back instead of Ben Chilwell?

"There are probably not going to be too many changes - it's an important game.

It's a challenging situation for Eddie Nketiah who eagerly awaits his England debut. With Harry Kane likely to spearhead the attack, Nketiah may have to be patient, but I believe Southgate will be keen to give him some playing time.

The same can be said for Levi Colwill. Southgate will likely aim to provide him with minutes on the field. There is a possibility that he could partner with Harry Maguire, although Marc Guehi was chosen for the game against Ukraine and performed solidly. We will have to see how things unfold.

Three memorable England vs Scotland games

The goalkeeper position is one aspect that could potentially undergo some changes. While Jordan Pickford is currently the preferred choice, Aaron Ramsdale has frequently joined the England squad but has had limited opportunities to showcase his skills. Therefore, this could present a favorable opportunity for Gareth Southgate to witness Ramsdale's performance on the field - or perhaps even consider Sam Johnstone as an alternative option.

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England and Scotland collide at Hampden Park to mark the 150th anniversary of their historic international encounter. Delve into the remarkable clashes that have unfolded between these two nations since that momentous occasion...

England's 2-0 victory over Scotland at Euro 96 was filled with excitement in the second half. Notably, illusionist Uri Geller claimed to have moved the ball on the penalty spot, resulting in Gary McAllister's miss. However, England's Paul Gascoigne managed to score one of their most memorable goals for their second point. The celebration that followed was famously known as the dentist chair celebration.

In a historic match in 1967, England, who had recently won the World Cup, were defeated 2-3 by Scotland at Wembley. This shocking loss brought an end to England's unbeaten run of 20 games. Goals from Denis Law, Bobby Lennox, and Jim McCalliog secured the victory for the Scots, despite efforts from Geoff Hurst and Jack Charlton, who both managed to find the net.

England vs Scotland - 2013: Who can forget Rickie Lambert? The renowned forward, who previously played for Southampton and Liverpool, made a lasting impression on his debut for England. With his first - and only truly unforgettable - touch, he netted a goal, ensuring a thrilling victory in the face of a formidable performance by Kenny Miller, who managed a double for Scotland.

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Ricky Lambert's winner settled a 2013 meeting between England and Scotland

Follow Scotland vs England on We' digital platforms via the live blog on Tuesday night; kick-off 7.45pm