The Lionesses return to action tomorrow as they kick off their Nations League campaign against Scotland. This game sees the two teams start the new introduction to the women's game, the Nations League, a competition tried and tested in the men's game that has found its way into the women's schedule. Do we really need this tournament with the demand on players already? Well I guess that is a topic for another day really but the competition is here and we are going to have to get used to it.

Friday's game will see the Lionesses return to the pitch after their narrow defeat to Spain so they will surely be wanting to hit the ground running and get back to winning ways where as Scotland will be coming into the game with a point to prove as the two teams last meeting came in the 2019 World Cup where England came away 2-1 winners, with both teams improving since then this game is bound to be fiercely contested and Scotland will be up for showing people it isn't just England that have progressed in that time but they have too.

Sarina Wiegman has been forced to make a few changes due to injury with Beth England being out after having hip surgery in the off season, Keira Walsh not being available due to a small injury and Lotte Wubben-Moy withdrawing due to injury just as camp was about to start. We are getting to see different names called up to the team though with the likes of Maya Le Tissier, Lucy Staniforth & Jess Park called up and then the late addition of Lucy Parker to the back line. There might be changes for the Lionesses but the strength of that squad is still there as those being called up all bring something of their own to the squad. It will definitely be nice if we get to see some different names playing for England as they have the quality on the bench in Nobbs, Zelem & Staniforth, it would be great to see them get some game time and show Wiegman what they are capable of.

There are a lot of players still in the preseason phase for both these teams due to a lot of the players playing their club football in the WSL so this game will be a good test of their fitness going into the new season however, Scotland have a little bit of an advantage as they have quite a few players called up from the Scottish Women's League which is well underway so those players will have that game time under their belt where as most of the Lionesses are still in that getting game ready phase. 

The game is now sold out so it should be a brilliant game all round at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland with a great atmosphere and some great football on show. Which side of the border will walk away with the first points of their Nations League campaign? Will Scotland provide an upset or will England get straight back to winning ways? I guess we will find out on Friday evening.

Kick off : 7:45pm

Venue : Stadium of light, Sunderland

How to watch : ITV/STV coverage begins at 7:30pm on those channels.