Some big smiles on Scotland faces during the national anthem there.

We're almost ready to go!

Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa said yesterday that he would be looking to balance the desire to win with giving young players experience for the future in his team selection.

"Right now, it's about energy, being positive and finding consistency," the Spaniard said.

"There has been incredible investment to promote the Matildas. Progress for us comes by facing these opponents."

Having more often than not been used as an impact player off the bench for Manchester City, Hayley Raso is looking to take her frustrations out on Scotland.

"As soon as I put this shirt on to represent my country, I am in good form and ready to go," the 28-year-old forward said.

Raso thinks the forthcoming "tough" games against Scotland and England are vital to help the Matildas "be ready to go and firing" for the World Cup finals and has warned her side about the qualities of former Manchester City team-mate Caroline Weir.

"She's one of the best players I've ever trained with," she said of the Real Madrid midfielder. "She's an amazing footballer - technically so good."

Image source, Getty Images

Scotland dropped to 25th in the world rankings for the first time since 2008 following October's World Cup play-off loss to Republic of Ireland.

Including that game, they have only won two of their latest five outings. Excluding it, they have lost just one of four. So that form can be read either way.

However, the bottom line is they are back up to 23 in the rankings after a mixed-bag Pinatar Cup in February, when they lost to Iceland, beat Philippines (who edged Australia 1-0 in July) and drew with Wales.

Scotland will debut their new lavender away strip against Australia. For me, it's an absolute cracker.

Full-back Nicola Docherty this week revealed that talks have been ongoing since October about changing from white shorts because of period concerns. As can be seen on BBC Alba, their shorts today are certainly light.

England this week agreed to change from white shorts, while Republic of Ireland decided against such a move.

Andrew Southwick
BBC Scotland at the Cherry Reds Record Stadium

Perhaps a precursor for this afternoon - the Australia team bus got stuck coming in, forcing a delay with the players eventually having to get off the coach and make the long walk round to the entrance.

That has meant they've arrived onto the pitch for their pre-match warm up a lot later than Scotland too.

Maybe Scotland can catch them cold when the game kicks off.

Australia are not one of those sides who are only at the World Cup finals thanks to being hosts.

Once world-ranked as high as fourth in 2017, they have dropped from seventh since Tony Gustavsson took charge in 2020, but they are on the rise again to 10th following a seven-game winning run under their Swedish head coach. Indeed, only Canada (twice) have beaten Australia in 13 outings.

Impressively, they hammered third-ranked Euro 2022 semi-finalists Sweden 4-0 in November before beating Spain (3-2), along with Czech Republic and Jamaica, to lift February's Cup of Nations.

That's the same Spain who infamously thrashed Scotland 8-0 in November 2021 before winning 2-0 in the reverse qualifier at Hampden almost exactly a year ago. In saying that, the Spanish thumped the Aussies too - 7-0 this time - in their next game two months later!

Unfortunately for Scotland, facing joint hosts Australia is the closest they will get to this year's World Cup finals thanks to October's surprise home play-off defeat by Republic of Ireland.

It will be a particularly bitter-sweet taste of what might have been considering the Irish were drawn in the same group as the Matildas along with Canada and Nigeria.

Pedro Martinez Losa's side get a second chance to test themselves against a World Cup-bound team when Costa Rica visit Hampden Park on Tuesday.

Image source, SNS

Don't forget you can watch gaelic language channel BBC Alba's live coverage from Cherry Red Records Stadium by clicking the wee button at the top of the page.

Hibernian and Scotland defender Joelle Murray provides the expert analysis for commentator Derek MacKay, with coverage starting at 13:00.

But stay with us here for your full English lunchtime football fill.

Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson makes four changes from February's 3-0 win over Jamaica - and the big surprise is that Chelsea striker Sam Kerr starts on the bench despite the absence through injury of recent top scorer Caitlin Foord of Arsenal.

Hayley Raso comes into the side along with fellow Manchester City forward Mary Fowler, Lyon's Ellie Carpenter starting in defence along with Vittsjö's Charlotte Grant in the absence of injured Arsenal left-back Steph Catley.

Leicester City full-back Courtney Nevin drops to the bench.

Image source, Getty Images

Australia continue their preparation for hosting the World Cup with another "home" friendly in London following October's match against South Africa at Chelsea Women's Kingsmeadow stadium. It's more handy for their Europe-based players you see - and this time it's a warm-up for Tuesday's friendly with World Cup rivals England.

This time, though, they look to attract a large following from the capital's big Australian community to the Cherry Red Records Stadium. The first international fixture to be played at the new 9,200 capacity home of League Two club Wimbledon.

In case you're wondering, Cherry Red is an independent record label established locally in 1978 that has the likes of Everything But The Girl, The Fall, Marc Almond, The Dead Kennedys, Attila The Stockbroker and Scottish musicians Momus and Thomas Leer among its artists.

Will Australia or Scotland be more in tune with the surroundings this Good Friday?

Image source, PA Media

It's not only a first Scotland call-up for 17-year-old Rangers talent Emma Watson, but a first Scotland start as she's trusted to go straight into the starting XI.

With captain Rachel Corsie, Chelsea's Erin Cuthbert and Bristol City striker Abi Harrison out of the squad, there's fresh opportunities for others to make an impression on manager Pedro Martinez Losa.

It's Emma Mukandi who comes into defence after impressing as part of a back three for Reading this term. Martha Thomas is also given to chance to shine, with Clare Emslie captaining the side on her 50th cap.

Image source, SNS

Australia: Arnold, Polkinghorne, Vine, Raso, Gorry, Fowler, Carpenter, Grant, Cooney-Cross, Crummer, Hunt

Substitutes: Williams, Micah, Nevin, Luik, Van Egmond, Yallop, Kerr, H.McNamara, Wheeler, Chidiac, Whyman, Sayer, M. McNamara

Scotland: Gibson, Docherty, Mukandi, Howard, Brown, Kerr, Weir, Emslie, Watson, Hanson, Thomas

Substitutes: Fife, Cumings, Hill, Muir, hay, McLauchlan, Clark, Robertson, Davidson, Cornet, Napier, Smith

I could think of worse ways to get the Easter weekend up and running than a slice of international football action.

But will it be a Good Friday for Australia or Scotland?

Stay with us for the build-up, live commentary and post-match reaction on BBC Alba and online.