As well as the large matter of national pride and the still large matter of World Cup qualification points at stake tonight, both managers could be playing for their futures.

Interim appointment Gareth Southgate is three games into his four-game audition, which is not an audition. He beat the mighty Malta 2-0 and then needed Joe Hart to make an incredible save in a 0-0 draw with Slovenia.

It seems that a win tonight would ensure that he gets the gig full-time. Right?

Gordon Strachan's position came under scrutiny in the aftermath of last month's disappointing 3-0 defeat in Slovakia and should the Scots take a beating tonight he could walk., external Or be pushed.

Does a 0-0 mean they both go? 

Rip it up and start again! Gordon Strachan makes eight changes from the team beaten in Slovakia last month. 

We are awaiting confirmed Scotland team news but the whispers in the stands are of sweeping changes from Gordon Strachan...

Former Scotland midfielder John Collins: "The first year he [Gordon Strachan] was in the job we played some terrific football and there was excitement in the country. 

"I think in the last 12 months we haven't moved forward; if anything we've slid backwards.

"We're under pressure and we need a result."    

Scotland coach Gordon Strachan insists his players "know the fixture" as they prepare for Friday's meeting with England and captain Darren Fletcher says the Scots are "right involved" in their World Cup qualifying group.

Azerbaijan are a serious threat to Northern Ireland's claim on a World Cup qualifying runners-up spot, says manager Michael O'Neill.

His team will go second in Group C with victory at Windsor Park on Friday.

World Cup holders Germany lead the way with Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan, Norway and the Czech Republic all vying for a play-off route to Russia 2018.

"Our aim is to put ourselves in a position of strength and three points will do that," O'Neill said. "We have to stop their momentum from the opening three games and it will be nice for us to be sitting second."

Image source, .

England make three changes from the 0-0 draw in Slovenia as Wayne Rooney, Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling all come back in.

Out go Dele Alli, Theo Walcott and Jesse Lingard. 

Richard Wilson
BBC Scotland

When Gordon Strachan's side takes to the field this evening, it will be Scotland's 49th competitive fixture against England at Wembley.

The decades have delivered 15 Scottish victories (and 23 defeats) and a succession of triumphant and heartbreaking moments.

Of the Scotland players to have represented their country at Wembley, some can be set apart as heroes and villains.

Image source, PA

From Jim Baxter to Gary Mac - read all of Richard's list here

Image source, PA

So England v Scotland. The oldest game in international football. The oldest rivalry in the world.

But does it [still] matter? The two sides used to play every year until 1989, and while the game at Euro 96 and the play-offs for Euro 2000 were huge games, has the spark gone somewhat?

Image source, PA

Or is this still a massive deal? 

Let us know where you're from, who you are rooting for, your predictions and - most importantly of all - your feelings about the rivalry and why it does/doesn't matter.

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You can text us on 81111 (UK Only) or tweet us at #bbcfootball or #bbcsportscot.

Lovely. 

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Fifa says it has not banned the display of poppies by England and Scotland footballers, insisting any such claim is a "distortion of the facts".

Both countries asked to wear black armbands bearing a poppy in Friday's World Cup qualifier on Armistice Day.

Rules forbid "political" statements on shirts and Fifa says it does not have the power to grant such requests.

However, former player Danny Mills says the English FA has "picked the wrong fight" over the issue.

England's midfield last time out was Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson and Dele Alli. Gazza would liven things up wouldn't he?

Alan Shearer
Ex-England captain

I would be lying if I said I was particularly confident that England will beat Scotland, because I am not.

I stopped presuming that England will win games a long time ago. I don't think we can take that for granted anymore.

If anyone needs any reminding of why I feel that way, then just think back to the Iceland game at Euro 2016 and you have your answer. It actually goes back further than that though.

That is not to say I am scared of Scotland but it will be an extremely tough game. I know from personal experience that playing them is never easy, and anything can happen.

Because of the occasion and the rivalry, both teams will be really up for it. It was like that in the three matches I played against Scotland, at Euro 96 and then home and away in the play-off for Euro 2000.

Read more from Alan here

"Here's hoping tonight lives up to this game for tension and atmosphere (and result)!"

England and Scotland met in friendlies in 2013 and 2014 - but we all know that they don't really count.

Tonight is the first 'proper' showdown since 1999, when Don Hutchison's header gave Scotland a win at Wembley but Kevin Keegan's England side went to Euro 2000 anyway.

Will England be heading off to a major tournament again in 2018? Or can Scotland play a very big part in a different story? 

Image source, PA

Wembley will be occupying the bulk of our attention this evening, but here's the full list of scheduled World Cup qualifiers tonight:

Armenia v Montenegro (17:00 GMT)

Czech Republic v Norway (19:45 GMT)

Northern Ireland v Azerbaijan (19:45 GMT)

San Marino v Germany (19:45 GMT)

Denmark v Kazakhstan (19:45 GMT)

Image source, Getty Images

Romania v Poland (19:45 GMT)

England v Scotland (19:45 GMT)

Malta v Slovenia (19:45 GMT)

Slovakia v Lithuania (19:45 GMT)

France v Sweden (19:45 GMT)