England vs Scotland, World Cup qualifier: Where to watch live, preview, betting odds and possible XI

KEY POINTS

England and Scotland are facing each other for the first time since November 2014.
Wayne Rooney is set to return to the starting XI and captain England.

England host neighbours and rivals Scotland in their fourth 2018 World Cup qualifier game at Wembley Stadium on Friday (11 November).

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 7:45pm GMT. Live coverage of the game will be on ITV 1 and ITV 1 HD. Radio Commentary is available on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Overview

The oldest football rivalry in the world is set to be resumed when England host Scotland in their World Cup qualifier game at Wembley on Friday. The rivalry between the two nations dates back to 1872 when the first international fixture was played at Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow. England will go into the game as favourites as the Scots have beaten them on just two occasions in the last 30 years and are struggling to achieve positive results away from home against the more established sides.

The two British nations have played each other 112 times with England winning on 47 occasions and Scotland 41 times, while they have drawn 24 games. Their last encounter came in November 2014 in an international friendly when the Three Lions triumphed 3-1 with Wayne Rooney scoring a brace.

Wayne Rooney — Rooney is set to return to the starting XI and captain England against Scotland after being dropped to the bench for the game against Slovenia Getty

Gareth Southgate will be leading England this time around and will be looking to keep their unbeaten run in the qualifying going. They have won two and drawn one in their qualifying campaign so far and are at the top of the group with 10 points. The manager has confirmed that Rooney will captain the side after he was dropped for their game against Slovenia. There are few injury concerns while there remains uncertainty over Harry Kane starting the game, as he just returned from a seven week injury lay off.

Aaron Cresswell and Jordan Pickford were called up to the England squad after Danny Drinkwater and Frazer Forster pulled out with injuries earlier in the week. Cresswell is receiving his first ever call up to the squad and is hoping to make his debut, but is behind Danny Rose and Ryan Bertrand in the pecking order for a place at left-back.

Scotland, on the other hand, have won just one of their matches thus far and are coming into this fixture on the back of a disappointing 3-0 loss against Slovakia. They are currently fourth in group F behind leaders England, minnows Lithuania and Slovenia, who are second and third.

Robert Snodgrass will pose England the biggest threat when they take on Scotland at Wembley on Friday (11 November) Getty

Gordon Strachan has come under pressure in recent weeks with calls for him to quit the national team. He has been in charge of his country's football team since 2013, but recent struggles have seen the pressure increase and below par performances in the upcoming qualifiers could see the manager facing questions over his future.

Strachan has almost a fully fit squad to chose from apart from striker Steven Fletcher, who is a doubt after injuring his knee while playing for club side Sheffield Wednesday. Scott Brown is likely to start after the former captain reversed his decision to retire from international football.

What Managers Say

Gareth Southgate [on Rooney]: He's in a better place than he was for the last get together in terms of his sharpness, confidence. He's really an experienced player for game like this. There was no hesitation from my point of view to play him.

He's playing well, he's played well in the last couple of games for Manchester Untied. He's a player that when he's in a rhythm of playing that helps. He's confident.

Mark McGhee – assistant manager: "I don't think there is any concern about his [Scott Brown] fitness. Steven Fletcher - there is a little bit of concern about him. But, other than that, everyone else is OK."

Betting odds [betfair]