Old rivals England and Scotland drawn together
ENGLAND will meet Scotland in 2018 World Cup qualifying following Saturday’s draw in Russia with Roy Hodgson’s side seemingly having a smooth passage to the finals.
Only the group winners will be certain of a berth at the World Cup with the eight best runners-up meeting in playoffs and England are 4-11 with Hills to top a section that also includes Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Malta as well as Scotland. England are 2-1 to beat Scotland home and away.
While England can be content with their draw, things were much tougher elsewhere with Holland, France and Sweden all in Group A, while Spain and Italy must do battle in Group G.
Wales are 3-1 third favourites to win a group against Serbia, Austria, Ireland, Moldova and Georgia. Ireland are 9-2 to top the section.
Northern Ireland are in with reigning world champions Germany.
Group A: Holland, France, Sweden, Bulgaria, Belarus, Luxembourg.
Group B: Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Andorra.
Group C: Germany, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Norway, Azerbaijan, San Marino
Group D: Wales, Austria, Serbia, Ireland, Moldova, Georgia,
Group E: Romania, Denmark, Poland, Montenegro, Armenia, Kazakhstan
Group F: England, Slovakia, Scotland, Slovenia, Malta, Lithuania.
Group G: Spain, Italy, Albania, Israel, Macedonia, Liechtenstein
Group H: Belgium, Bosnia, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus
Group I : Croatia, Iceland, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland