A final chance to show mettle before the World Cup

Forward of the World Cup kicking off in lower than three months, England and Wales have two extra fixtures to indicate the opposition what they’re product of.

We preview the important thing motion from the House Nation’s subsequent spherical of Nations League fixtures beneath.

Scotland v Ukraine

Solely simply lacking out on a visit to Qatar this winter, Scotland and Ukraine will take positives understanding they have been inside touching distance of a historic look on the FIFA World Cup 2022.

The 2 sides face off for the second time this yr, and after a 3-1 win to Ukraine within the final fixture, it might be that Scotland are motivated to achieve their revenge.

Their current growth as footballing sides – Ukraine drawing to France in World Cup qualification and Scotland drawing to England on the 2020 Euros – units this as much as be an thrilling tie. At evens, for each groups to attain, this is also a tough one to foretell.

Taking part in at residence, Scotland are the favourites at 8/5, with Ukraine solely slight underdogs at 9/5, regardless of beating Scotland within the World Cup qualifiers solely months in the past. Steve Clarke’s aspect, who’ve progressed massively lately, are 8/1 to attain three, and seven/2 to attain in each halves.

With the tie more likely to be shut, a 1-1 draw is the almost certainly end result at 24/5. Nonetheless, Scotland are solely 13/8 to maintain a clear sheet, so might have the benefit going into this one.

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Belgium v Wales

A large recreation for 2 sides headed for Qatar in just a few months, and each might be keen to spotlight their prowess and energy forward of their opening fixtures.

Belgium have developed a golden era of gamers, most who play in one of the best sides in Europe, however have largely didn’t dwell as much as their excessive FIFA world rankings in current competitions. Upon reaching the ultimate rounds at main tournaments, they’ve fallen quick, ending third on the World Cup in 2018 and exiting on the quarter-finals at Euro 2020 and 2016.

Wales have continued to show that they’re able to punching above their weight and periodically shock huge footballing nations with spectacular shows of resilience, struggle and character.

The Welsh are the 15/2 underdogs right here, although some punters will definitely fancy them to eke out a draw at 7/2. Regardless of Belgium’s 7/20 favorite odds, it might be a better recreation than anticipated, with Wales’s finest workforce in years positive to be aiming to enter their first World Cup since 1958 on a excessive.

Gareth Bale is the favorite to attain for the away aspect at 5/2 and he’s more likely to be their primary risk all through the match. The Los Angeles FC man to register two pictures, alongside Daniel James to have one shot on course, is on the market at 14/1.

Belgium star Kevin De Bruyne is 17/10 to attain at any time. efficiency from KDB might be sufficient to tip the sport’s momentum in Belgium’s favour, and if he turns up in good type, the objectives might movement.  At 9/2 to attain 4 or extra, Belgium undoubtedly have the power for a rout.

Italy v England

After beating England to win the Euros in July 2021, Italy suffered a monumental fall from grace and didn’t qualify for the World Cup for the second time in a row, solely managing victories in 4 of their subsequent fourteen video games.

England took two losses from Hungary, together with an embarrassing 4-0 residence defeat, and drew to each Italy and Germany at first of their Nations League marketing campaign, failing to rediscover the wonderful defensive type they displayed all through the Euros and through World Cup qualifying.

The Three Lions, nevertheless, are the slight favourites on this tie at 6/4 whereas the champions of Europe are available at 9/5 to assert a victory, with the sport at 21/10 to finish in a draw.

With England’s two primary hitmen from the Euros, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling, in good type to this point this season, it appears each gamers to have over three pictures on course mixed at 23/10 is an effective guess. They’re 11/8 and 14/5 respectively to attain within the tie at any time.

17/20 for each groups to attain is also value backing, with England’s defence proving to be certainly one of their weaknesses over the previous yr.

After a poor previous few outings within the Nations League, many are predicting extra of the identical, with the unbelievable spirit proven by Gareth Southgate’s aspect on the final two main tournaments displaying indicators of dwindling. If this proves to be the case, it is likely to be a tricky day for England.

Epic Odds sees England at evens to attain a aim, one thing they should do quite a lot of in Qatar.

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