Can England come away from Saturday’s World Cup qualifier in Scotland with all 3 points when the two rivals meet at 5pm on ITV?

Currently England sit relatively unchallenged at the top of Group F, 4 points ahead of Slovakia, with 4 wins, 1 draw and no goals conceded. They’ve looked solid since Gareth Southgate took over last October – though, as ever, they have been flattered by an easy qualifying group. When faced with tougher opposition, like Spain in November or Germany in March, England haven’t quite been up to scratch, throwing away a 2-0 lead against the former while slipping to a 1-0 loss against the latter.



Luckily for England – and worryingly for Gordon Strachan and co. – their best performance in the last few months came against Scotland. Goals from Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill gave them a 3-0 victory, and effectively green lit the permanent appointment of Southgate. It also compounded Scotland’s miserable qualifying campaign, which seems them languishing in 4th place on 7 points, their only win coming against Malta.

Despite Jamie Vardy’s injury Southgate has some tasty options up front. Fresh off his second consecutive Premier League Golden Boot, Harry Kane heads to Hampden Park with a Super Mega PGM of 39-36, followed by the Bournemouth-bound Jermain Defoe at 31-37, Marcus Rashford at 25-30 and fellow Spurs star Dele Alli at 17-21.

Hostile atmosphere notwithstanding the visitors shouldn’t have too many problems at the weekend, with Spreadex offering an England/Scotland (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 0.7-0.9 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.2-2.4.

While England travel to Glasgow, Northern Ireland will be looking to put pressure on Group C leaders Germany with a win in Azerbaijan, at 5pm on Sky Sports 4. Michael O’Neill’s side have carried their impressive Euros-showing into qualifying, their only loss coming against the current World Cup holders. They’ve also smashed their hosts once, winning 4-0 back in November; that gives them the edge ahead of Saturday, with Spreadex offering a Northern Ireland/Azerbaijan (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 0.2-0.4 alongside a Total Goals spread of 1.85-2.05.

Turning to Sunday and the Republic of Ireland can potentially jump to the top of Group D with a victory over Austria at 5pm on Sky Sports 1. While they haven’t been particularly convincing, they are nevertheless on the same 11 points as Serbia, meaning if the eastern Europeans slip up Martin O’Neill’s men could move into 1st place. A goal from James McClean gave them a win in Vienna, and they’ll be aiming for a similar (if more robust) result in Dublim, with Spreadex offering an Ireland/Austria Goal Supremacy spread of 0.15-0.35 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.15-2.35.

Finally Wales desperately need to get their qualification campaign back on track when they visit Serbia, at 7.45pm on Sky Sports 1. Chris Coleman’s side haven’t been able to recapture their Euros magic in qualifying, picking up just 1 win and 4 draws. Things may not get better on Sunday given that they are missing the suspended Gareth Bale, with Spreadex offering a Serbia/Wales Goal Supremacy spread of 0.75-0.95 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.2-2.4.