Roker Riches: England v Scotland - what are our pundits tipping for the big game?

Welcome to another special edition of Euro Roker Riches, timed to align with another installment of what football historians deem the oldest international tie, England V Scotland. 149 years after the first tie near Partick, north of the border, we meet again.

Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

After an England win and a Scotland loss in the respective first group games, this is a game where Scotland will likely be hoping to nick a win, and England will be doing their best not to lose. Attack can be the best form of defence, so let's hope the England coach goes for the 3 points, and secures passage to the next phase in an attractive way to watch.

Will Jack Grealish get a run out to vary the attacking options? Will Kane get off the mark after an anonymous first match (apart from trying to snap himself around a post)?

Predicting the team and subs bench is half the challenge, as the side that Gareth put out for the first game succeeded, but it wasn’t what a lot of pundits expected.

Let’s see what Southgate does and what the Riches lads are forecasting as the bets worth a dabble this Friday evening, and over the weekend.

Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

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The Euro Roker Riches Table 2020/21 - pre round 2

None of our punters had any luck in the first round of the Euros. Bomber and Paul decided to have a go with bigger bets, and as a result of that, they are now at the foot of the table.

Early days as yet though.

How will they bet this Friday and over the weekend? Will the passion and pride related to an England Scotland tie in a major competition get the purse to open wider? Or will the lower table punters go conservative to try to protect the kitty for the next round, which England should qualify for pretty soon?

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Banker’s Bonus...

No Bankers Bonus allocation is awarded for the Scotland match, as England got all three points but only managed to get the one goal in their opening run out.

For this round most fans will hope both teams go for the jugular, so to speak. Many England fans will want to see Kane get a goal or at least an assist too, as he had a quiet day at the office last weekend.

Photo by Shaun Botterill - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

So the Bankers Bonus this weekend - if England beat the Jocks and Kane is involved in at least one goal, the punters will get a tenner extra for the 3rd group game to come, which could well be a dead rubber.

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This rounds bets...

Matty Crichton says...

England vs Scotland Bet Builder: England to win, Scott McTominay to be carded, over 5 corners during the match for England and Phil Foden to have at least 1 shot on target - doesn’t sound bad does it? £10 returns £110

EURO 2020 Fourfold: Spain to bounce back from a poor draw by beating Poland, both teams to score in the match between Croatia and Czech Republic, Italy to continue their excellent form by beating Wales and Seb Larsson’s Sweden to collect 3 points against Slovakia! £10 returns £73.10.

Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

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Luke ‘Bomber’ Davies says...

England v Scotland bet builder

Nationalism aside, Scotland on paper are vastly inferior to England. Yes they’ll raise their game… Yes they will make it difficult… but no, they won’t have the quality to keep the premier league’s elite at bay. Only a £5 stake as the odds are high, but try this on for size…

Foden anytime assist, Kane anytime scorer, England to win 3-1. £5 returns £290.75

Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Something for the weekend

I’ve picked one result from each of Friday, Saturday and Sunday to see us through the weekend; Croatia to bounce back from the disappointment of defeat by comfortably dispatching the Czechs on Friday; An impressive and efficient France, high off beating the Germans, to go 2/2 in Budapest against Hungary; then we round it off on Sunday where a mightily impressive Italy to beat Wales who will already be thinking about the knockout stages. £10 treble pays £39

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Phil Butler says...

Harry Kane to assist Mason Mount

England look like they’re going to be less reliant on set pieces in this tournament then they were at the World Cup, so looking instead at who could grab the goals in open play. Harry Kane played a more creative role at Spurs last season, although this is a position he’s been used in often for England, so I’m backing him to feed one of Mason Mount’s late runs into the box as we take on Scotland tonight. £5 returns £65

Saturday Treble

This accumulator is mainly based around the fact that Portugal are begging me to back them at a generous price of 21/10. The tournament’s holders have improved since 5 years ago and should have enough to beat a Germany side that has seemingly been out of form since their World Cup win in 2014. To add a bit more value, I’m picking the odds-on favourites France (Vs Hungary) and Spain (Vs Poland) to make up what is hopefully a winning treble. £10 returns £51.67

Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

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Paul Fletcher says...

England to Lose:

I’m sticking with my negative predictions in the hope that they continue to bring about positive results. Scotland aren’t great and we should beat them comfortably. However, the Scotland players will be looking to cause an upset and make a bit of history so you never know what could happen. £10 returns £100

Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Saturday Draw Double:

Portugal vs Germany is a tough game to pick a winner from, so I’m going to sit on the fence and call it a draw. Spain drew a blank against Sweden and I’m not convinced that they’ll do much better against Poland. Also, the price of 17/4 is too much to resist. If both games end with the points shared, £10 returns £168.

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Malc Dugdale says...

Kane to turn it up and McGinn to react:

After a quiet first match, I think Harry Kane will torture the Scotland backs and will bag(pipe) at least one. I like the look of the following on Sky Bet:

Harry Kane to score, 3+ corners each team and McGinn to be carded.

With a half decent 12-1 odds, this brings in £130 for a tenner stake. Well worth doubling up the fiver for.

Weekend treble:

I really fancy Sweden and France to win their matches on Friday and Saturday.

I also think with a win a piece, Italy and Wales will fizzle out into a dull draw on Sunday afternoon. This combo gives me good odds of nearly 9-1, well worth a bluey.

Fiver returns £48.60.

Photo by Marcio Machado/Getty Images

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Good luck to England as they look to exit the group phase of this competition, and good luck too to all our fellow punters too.

Please remember to gamble responsibly, and enjoy your Friday night, and your weekend.

Cheers, and ha’way the Lads!