Auld enemies combine for Coral’s awesome Anglo-Scottish XI

To celebrate the calendar year of international football ending with a battle between eternal rivals Scotland and England, Coral’s football experts have assembled an all-star XI that takes into account the fantastic form of these two Home Nations.

Who made our team? Read on and see…

Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster
With Three Lions number one Joe Hart rested, who better to fill his boots than former Celtic stopper Forster? Now at high-flying Premier League side Southampton, he has shown he can keep clean sheets in an elite division. David Marshall is unlucky to miss out, though. England are 8/5 chances to shut Scotland out.

Right back: Nathaniel Clyne
After an impressive Three Lions debut against Slovenia, Saints full back Clyne gets the nod and may have filled a problem position for Hodgson. The Scots are depleted in this berth, with injuries ruling out both Phil Bardsley and Alan Hutton, who also ply their trade in the Premier League.

Centre back: Gary Cahill
England centre half Cahill is the best available to his country. Time and again he gets ageing partner Phil Jagielka out of jail. Chelsea’s dogged defender is an aerial presence in both boxes, meaning he edges out Scottish counterpart Russell Martin for inclusion.

Centre back: Christophe Berra
Following Grant Hanley’s questionable conduct in the all-Celtic clash with the Republic of Ireland, we want to see Ipswich Town set piece threat Berra brought back into Scotland’s rearguard. His Blackburn Rovers counterpart could’ve been sent off twice last time out, while Berra has four league goals under his belt already.

Left back: Andrew Robertson
With Ashley Cole retired and Leighton Baines injured, the left back berth goes to Hull City’s rising star Robertson. He got Scotland thinking forward time and again against the Irish, and he will pose considerable problems for Hodgson’s team if he retains the diamond formation and leaves Robertson to his own devices.

Right wing: Steven Naismith
Everton attacker Naismith is playing with passion and purpose for his country. With his confidence restored by a combination of club manager Roberto Martinez and national boss Gordon Strachan, he will pose a real danger to England. Back Naismith to net anytime in Glasgow at 2/1.