![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/football\/football-thumb\/football-thumb.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
England\u2019s hopes of reaching the Women\u2019s Nations League knockout rounds and qualifying for the Olympics on behalf of Team GB hang by a thread as they take on Scotland at Hampden Park tonight. The Lionesses are currently second in Group A1, level on points with the Netherlands, but need to finish top of the table in order to progress. <\/p>\n
The Netherlands are top due to their superior goal difference and take on Belgium in the group\u2019s other fixture this evening. The Lionesses will go through should England defeat Scotland and the Netherlands drop points, but it is more likely that Group A1 will be decided by goal difference. <\/p>\n
That means that the Lionesses must better the Netherlands\u2019 result by three or more goals in order to reach the next stage of the competition and Sarina Wiegman\u2019s side will be out to secure a big win as they face rivals Scotland, whose relegation from the top tier of the Nations League has already been confirmed. <\/p>\n
An added complication is that Wiegman\u2019s side are the nominated nation to qualify for the Paris Olympics on behalf of Team GB. England need to reach the Nations League final – or finish third if Olympic hosts France make the final – in order to secure a place.<\/p>\n
Follow all the action from Hampden Park below<\/em><\/strong> plus get the latest odds and tips right here:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Anyone but England? Maybe not this time. Scotland\u2019s best chance of reaching the Olympics as part of Team GB is by losing heavily to the Lionesses at Hampden, as England travel north requiring \u201cas many goals as possible\u201d to decide a confusing set of permutations in Nations League Group A1. <\/p>\n The build-up to what should be a grand staging of a historic football rivalry has instead been dominated by what England, who are the nominated nation when it comes to Olympics qualification, require at Hampden and whether Scotland will help or hinder the \u201cAuld Enemy\u201d, as well as themselves.<\/p>\n Ahead of tonight\u2019s fixture, have a read of <\/strong>Jamie Braidwood\u2019s <\/em><\/strong>preview:<\/strong><\/p>\n Scotland\u2019s best chance of reaching the Olympics as part of Team GB is by losing heavily to the Lionesses at Hampden \u2013 but the hosts are unlikely to roll over against the \u2018Auld Enemy\u2019 <\/p>\n<\/p>\n Should England top the group, the task then is simple – reach the Nations League final to be sure of their place at the Olympics next summer. As the nominated side for Team GB. England will go through to the semi-finals if they top Group A1.<\/p>\n Both Nations League finalists will qualify for the Paris Games – unless one of those teams is France, who qualify automatically.<\/p>\n If France reach the Nations final, the automatic qualification spot will go to the winner of the third place playoff in the Nations League finals.<\/p>\n France and Spain have booked their place in the semi-finals, while Germany and Denmark are battling out for the final spot in Group A3.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot more than just the result riding on this game, with England\u2019s hopes of qualifying Great Britain for the Olympics on the line. To do that, they must first finish top of Group A1.<\/p>\n After five games played, England and the Netherlands are level on nine points: with three wins and two defeats. The teams have identical head-to-head records after the Netherlands won 2-1 in their home fixture and England won 3-2 at Wembley.<\/p>\n Therefore, the Netherlands have the advantage because of their greater goal difference across the group. The Netherlands have scored 10 goals and conceded six, giving the Dutch a goal difference of +4, while England have scored nine and conceded eight, giving the Lionesses a goal difference of +1.<\/p>\n Ahead of their final fixtures, England need to win by at least three goals more than the Netherlands, if both sides win, otherwise they will qualify if the Dutch drop points against Belgium and the Lionesses beat Scotland<\/p>\n Make sense? <\/p>\n We should get confirmed lineups in about 50 minutes, but here is how we think both teams might line up:<\/p>\n Scotland:<\/strong> MacIver; Corsie, Clark, Doherty; Evans, Kerr, MacLean, Cuthbert, Brown; Hanson, Thomas<\/p>\n England:<\/strong> Earps; Bronze, Morgan, Greenwood, Charles; Walsh, Stanway; Mead, James, Hemp; Russo<\/p>\n Scotland drew 1-1 with Belgium on Friday with Erin Cuthbert on target. Former England goalkeeper Sandy MacIver will line up against the Lionesses after switching allegiances earlier this season. Kirsty Hanson could return to the starting line-up but Scotland are without Caroline Weir, who is out for the season after suffering an ACL injury.<\/p>\n England did not pick up any injuries in Friday\u2019s win over the Netherlands and manager Sarina Wiegman is likely to pick an attack-minded team. The Lionesses did not start with a recognised striker against the Netherlands and Alessia Russo or Rachel Daly could return. Millie Bright was ruled out of England\u2019s squad and there could be further changes in defence after Friday\u2019s display.<\/p>\n The match will kick off at 7:45pm GMT on Tuesday 5 December at Hampden Park, Glasgow.<\/p>\n Scotland vs England will be shown live on BBC One and BBC One Scotland, with coverage kicking off at 7:30pm.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the <\/em>best VPNs<\/em><\/u> in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider.<\/em><\/p>\nRecommended<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/12\/01\/22\/2023-12-01T215611Z_1679354499_UP1EJC11OXM90_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-UEFANATIONS-ENG-NLD-REPORT.JPG\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/12\/01\/22\/GettyImages-1825360847.jpg\")
<\/p>\nEngland, Scotland and the \u2018strange\u2019 dilemma of Olympics qualification<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/12\/04\/12\/GettyImages-1695844651.jpg\")
<\/p>\nEngland, Scotland and the \u2018strange\u2019 dilemma of Olympics qualification <\/h3>\n
What would the Lionesses then need to do to qualify for the Olympics?<\/h3>\n
Scotland vs England – How can England finish top of Group A1?<\/h3>\n
Scotland vs England – predicted lineups <\/h3>\n
What is the team news?<\/h3>\n
How to watch Scotland vs England<\/h3>\n
Scotland vs England<\/h3>\n