Scotland had failed to win either of their previous matches in the 1928 British Home Championship, losing 1–0 to Ireland at Hampden Park and drawing 2–2 with Wales in Wrexham. England had lost their first two games, 2–0 to Ireland in Belfast and 2–1 in Burnley to the eventual champions Wales. England's recent record against Scotland was poor, having only won once against Scotland in the 1920s. That solitary win had come in the previous match between the teams, a 2–1 win at Hampden in the 1927 British Home Championship that gave England a share of the championship with Scotland.