Predicting England's Starting XI vs. Scotland

The last time England faced Scotland they had David Seaman in goal, Tony Adams at centre-back, Jamie Redknapp and Paul Ince in midfield and an attacking partnership of Alan Shearer and Michael Owen.

They didn’t manage a single shot on target.

Don Hutchison’s 39th-minute goal was enough for Scotland to seal a 1-0 victory at the old Wembley Stadium that Wednesday in November 1999, although a Paul Scholes brace at Hampden Park only four days prior would end up putting the Three Lions through to the Euro 2000 finals.

“A moral victory” for Scotland, claimed the BBC, and a frustrated Keegan did not hide his emotions in his post-match press conference, telling reporters, “We would be the first to admit we did not play well. We could not get going...It was a poor performance and you have to give credit to Scotland.”

Later this week Scotland will pay their first visit to the new Wembley, and waiting for them will be an England side still unsure of a place in the 2014 World Cup.

Presently trailing Group H leaders Montenegro by two points, they’ll host Moldova on September 6 before a match in Ukraine four days later, and given the magnitude of those appointments they’ll be treating Wednesday’s friendly against their northern neighbours as significantly more than a training exercise.

But who will manager Roy Hodgson name to his starting XI?

The team that did so well for him in Brazil two months ago is his likely starting point, although the return of Jack Wilshere and emergence of Wilfried Zaha will surely give him pause for thought.

In the following slides we’ll predict the choices he will make, with a word or two to back up our forecasts.

Let’s get to it.

Goalkeeper: Joe Hart

Hart is England’s undisputed No. 1.

He played every minute of every Premier League match for Manchester City last season, led the division with 23 wins and also paced the top-flight in clean sheets with 18.

He will earn his 33rd cap on Wednesday, and if he is substituted at some point it will likely be for Ben Foster, who so far has six caps.

Also in the squad: Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), John Ruddy (Norwich)

Defense: Glen Johnson, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Ashley Cole

Johnson, Cahill and Jabielka all started against Brazil at the Maracana, although Leighton Baines played from the beginning at left-back.

Cole will likely regain his position against Scotland, but Hodgson is unlikely to tinker with the rest of his defensive corps.

Johnson continues to be a controversial selection given his frequently questionable defensive performances, but he performed rather well for Liverpool during the second half of last season and will likely hold off a challenge from Kyle Walker, who will be waiting to take advantage of any misstep.

Cahill and Jagielka have delivered for Hodgson, and while Phil Jones will likely make an appearance at some point the manager will likely go with the Chelsea and Everton defenders from kickoff.

Also in the squad: Leighton Baines (Everton), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Central Midfield: Michael Carrick, Steven Gerrard

Squad captain Gerrard will almost certainly return to the starting XI, and given his solid showing at the Maracana Carrick stands to retain his place at the heart of the England midfield.

No Englishman in the Premier League either attempted or completed as many passes as Carrick did last season, and while Hodgson has received good performances from Tom Cleverley at this point there is simply no better passing midfielder available to him than the 32-year-old, who will be hoping to win his 30th cap.

Gerrard will earn his 103rd should he feature against Scotland, and in his return England not only get back their inspirational leader but also a playmaker who completed more long passes than any other player in the Premier League last season.

Also in the squad: Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

Attacking Support: Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Wilfried Zaha

Wilshere’s return cannot be overstated.

The 21-year-old is one of only a handful of England players who could be considered “special,” who in his last outing for the Three Lions he was named Man of the Match following a 2-1 win over Brazil at Wembley.

The Arsenal man starred in that contest, providing the sort of linking play that turned the England midfielders into accurate distributors and the forwards into consistent, attacking threats.

Gunners teammate Walcott, who was exceptional in a weekend friendly against Manchester City, should also play from the start on Wednesday, and while Zaha has been playing most of his football on the right flank at Manchester United this preseason he could well get the nod on the opposite side of the park against Scotland.

Also in the squad: James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)

Striker: Danny Welbeck

Welbeck has consistently delivered good performances for England, even while his production at Manchester United has stalled.

With Wayne Rooney unlikely to start but almost certain to make an appearance as a second-half substitute, Hodgson will once again go with a trusted option in the 22-year-old. But having called up Rickie Lambert he can also be expected to hand the Norwich striker a first cap at some point on Wednesday.

Lambert was the top-scoring Englishman (tied with Frank Lampard on 15 goals) in the Premier League last term and is also the sort of competitor England could well make use of in the goalmouth.

Also in the squad: Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)