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England and Wales prepare for crunch World Cup qualifiers next week by squaring off in an international friendly at Wembley on Thursday evening.
Thomas Tuchel will be looking to use this showdown with the Welsh as a stepping stone to Tuesday’s tussle in Latvia, where victory would seal England’s place at next summer’s World Cup finals.
And, while Craig Bellamy, as a proud Welshman, would love nothing more than to put the Three Lions in their place, his to-do list is dominated by next Monday’s qualifying clash at home to Belgium.
Ahead of this cross-Severn shootout we have identified an 11/1 bet builder for the contest.
England vs Wales Bet Builder Tips
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Ollie Watkins First Scorer @ 14/5
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Over 2 Goals @ 2/9
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England to win @ 2/7
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Goal Bands Team B – 1-2 @ 6/5
Pays out at 11/1
Watkins to lead from the front
With Harry Kane sidelined, for Thursday night’s fixture, Watkins is set to lead the line for the Three Lions.
The 29-year-old striker is yet to hit top form this season, but scored Villa’s first goal in a 3-1 win over Fulham a fortnight ago and is sure to get chances in an England side that put four past Serbia last time out.
Watkins opened the scoring in his last England start – a 3-0 win over Greece last November – and given that Kane has scored the first goal in three of England’s last four matches, it’s worth backing his replacement to do the same here.
Leg 1: Ollie Watkins First Scorer @ 13/5
Fired-up Welsh can play part in high-scorer
Bellamy was a fiercely combative competitor as a player and it’s no surprise that he has instilled that same spirit into his players.
This may be a friendly, but it is a game which means the world to Bellamy and Wales, who are in-form and can make life difficult for the hosts.
However, the reality is that the greater cutting edge is in the England camp, both in Tuchel’s starting XI and off the bench, and that should mean goals at Wembley.
There have been three or more goals in seven of England’s last 10 internationals so expect another three or more here.
Leg 2: Over 2 Goals @ 2/9
Tuchel’s Lions to roar to victory
England have won eight of their last nine internationals and are a cut above most sides, including Wales.
All eyes for both nations will be on bigger competitive fixtures next week, but the Three Lions should go into their showdown with Latvia on the back of another victory.
Leg 3: England to win @ 2/7
Moore to lead Stones and co a merry dance
You can’t argue with seven clean sheets in the last eight internationals for England, yet this is still a defence which offers up opportunities.
John Stones will be leading a defence shorn of a number of big personalities and Wales will hope to take one of the opportunities that comes their way.
Kieffer Moore is a threat in the air, Brennan Johnson with his pace. Wales have found the net in eight of their last 10 fixtures and can score one or two at Wembley.
Leg 3: Goal Bands Team B – 1-2 @ 6/5
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