Graeme Macpherson

SUCCESSFUL punters never bet with their hearts over their heads. Taking that advice on board it is difficult to envisage Scotland beating England this evening. The visitors have the better players, are more clinical in attack and more robust at the back. They have also not lost a qualifying tie since 2009.

Scotland will show heart, passion and commitment. They will also be backed by one of the noisiest Hampden crowds for quite some time. They might create a chance of two. But it is difficult to see beyond an England victory. Harry Kane ought to score at least once, and there is every chance Dele Alli sets up one or two as well. For all their struggles at tournament level, England remain a class above anything Scotland can muster. And more’s the pity.

Team (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Tierney, R Martin, Mulgrew, Robertson; Brown, Morrison; Fraser, Armstrong, Snodgrass; Griffiths

Prediction: Scotland 1 England 4

Stewart Fisher

If Jeremy Corbyn can turn electoral wisdom on its head and leave Theresa May with a bloody nose then Scotland can beat England at Hampden. Or at least get away with the football equivalent of a hung parliament.

As cynical and limited as Slovenia's game plan was in March, Gordon Strachan's side did most things right and deserved to win the match. It will take an even more blemish-free performance, though, if Scotland are to inflict England's first qualifying defeat since 2009. All the stats point to an England landslide - I particularly worry about Marcus Rashford's pace - but the new confidence amongst this group, largely carried on the back of the Celtic contingent's personal development this season, is undeniable.

Take your chances and get the first goal, maybe a James McFadden-style special from Leigh Griffiths. And, most importantly of all, in a match three weeks after the end of the Barclays Premier League season, want it more than them. 

Team (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Tierney, Martin, Mulgrew, Robertson; Brown, Morrison; Snodgrass Armstrong, Fraser; Griffiths

Prediction: Scotland 1 England 2

Scott Mullen

It’s the hope that kills you, even when there shouldn’t be any. It’s all Chris Martin’s fault. Not just the one from Coldplay for punishing us with honkin’ music, but the big striker whose goal defeated Slovenia to send us tumbling into this game with England on some form of a high.

Is it our biggest match for years? Possibly. Does it feel like it? Meh. While there is a glimmer of optimism, there is a realism and honesty among the camp at what needs to be done. No matter what the end result, this won’t be an enjoyable 90 minutes. Either we get spanked, or we hold on for dear life to claim something precious.

Scoring first is crucial, and for that Leigh Griffiths has to start. Scotland’s will look to mix it as they did against Germany at Hampden in the previous campaign, and having a runner off the shoulder and deep from Stuart Armstrong will be fundamental. I would also go with plenty of legs in the wide areas to track back, with the industry of Robert Snodgrass and Darren Fletcher left on the bench to consolidate late on if – please lord – we get that far.

Team (4-1-4-1): Gordon; Tierney, Martin, Mulgrew, Robertson; Brown, Fraser, Armstrong, Morrison, Forrest; Griffiths.

Prediction: Scotland 1 England 1

Neil Cameron

If we had played a 5-3-2 or something like it before now then I would go with that system but this is not the time to experiment. So I am going with a familiar formation and our best players, or at least most in-form players. I am a genius.

We need to start with the Celtic players even James Forrest who didn’t see much action at the end of the season. Ryan Fraser should be given a debut and both wingers should get on the ball as often as possible. We need to score. Probably twice.

The rest more or less picks itself. There is no Robert Snodgrass, he would be a useful sub, and I would go with Christophe Berra who did okay at Wembley and is better than Russell Martin. We need Brown and Armstrong to have the game of the lives. England won’t know what Armstrong is all about and so it would be good to see him in a more advanced role.

I still fear we are going to get beaten – sorry – but our best chance is to have a real go. What do we have to lose?

Team (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Tierney, Berra, Mulgrew, Robertson; Brown, Morrison; Forrest, Armstrong, Fraser; Griffiths

Prediction: Scotland 1 England 2

Graeme McGarry

Let’s be bold and say that our boys can pull off a good result. Of course, they will be up against it, with the likes of Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford up against the weakest part of the Scotland team, but I fancy we can cause some bother at the other end ourselves.

From a Scottish point of view, I see no reason to tinker with the line-up and formation that triumphed against Slovenia last time out, which means goalscoring hero on the night Chris Martin will have to settle for a place on the bench.

I fancy that the movement of Leigh Griffiths will cause more problems for the England backline, and I have a feeling that the Celtic frontman can open his account for his country this evening.

If Scotland are to get a positive result, then a lot will depend on the influence that Stuart Armstrong can have on the game. The midfielder was excellent in the match against Slovenia, and if Scotland can get him on the ball, he can make things happen.

A win would be beyond our wildest dreams, but a draw would be a fantastic result and would keep our faint qualification hopes alive.

Team (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Tierney, Martin, Mulgrew, Robertson; Brown, Armstrong; Forrest, Morrison, Snodgrass; Griffiths.

Prediction: Scotland 2 England 2