Football betting tips: World Cup qualifying
1pt Harry Kane to score 2+ goals at 6/4 (Ladbrokes, Coral)
1pt Declan Rice to score anytime at 3/1 (Ladbrokes, Coral)
1pt Declan Rice 1+ assists at 14/5 (Betway)
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It can't possibly be any worse than last time can it?
An appalling England delivered one of the most underwhelming displays in Three Lions history to win 1-0 against Andorra back in June, so bad it'll likely soon be completely forgotten rather than ever claim a place alongside cult hero computer salesman Davide Gualtieri's eighth-second strike for San Marino back in 1993.
When San Marino scored against England after 8.3 seconds, 1993.
— 90s Football (@90sfootball)
At least that goal triggered a Three Lions fightback that ultimately saw Graham Taylor's side win 7-1; Thomas Tuchel's team have only managed to find the net that many times across his four staccato matches at the helm.
Not only did Tuchel's men painfully struggle to break down an opponent whose 80,000-strong population would just about sneak them into the top 100 most populous towns in England - sliding between Scunthorpe and Bury if you're interested - they also came perilously close to conceding on the counter attack on several occasions.
In the players' defence, they weren't helped by an utterly baffling team selection that surely won't be repeated at Villa Park on Saturday, as England once again up sticks from their usual home as concert season takes centre stage, just as it did for their summer shellacking by Senegal at the City Ground last time out.
Coldplay at Wembley sounds a lot more entertaining than this aberration of an international fixture. Andorra were never meant to cause England trouble, and second time around I don't suspect they will.
England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Man City), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace).
Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), John Stones (Man City), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Djed Spence (Tottenham), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen).
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (AC Milan).
Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, on loan from Man Utd), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
🗣️ "A very intelligent man"
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews)
Ruben Loftus-Cheek comments on his relationship with Thomas Tuchel from his time at Chelsea and how he reacted when he was asked to play at right-wing back
If there is one thing we've learned from Tuchel's short, thus far haphazard, tenure it is that we really do not know who will be in the XI.
His latest squad included further surprises, with Trent Alexander-Arnold left out and Elliot Anderson and Djed Spence included, before Adam Wharton's withdrawal saw Ruben Loftus-Cheek recalled almost seven years since his last England appearance.
Given the level of uncertainty when it comes to the final XI, I'm focusing on two of the most likely starters for some goalscorer bets.
Captain HARRY KANE has found the net in all four of Tuchel's matches in charge to take his record England tally to 73 goals in 107 appearances.
He has SCORED 2+ GOALS on 11 occasions, very often against minnows in qualifying.
It's something he's already managed twice in four appearances for Bayern Munich this season; the 6/4 about him doing so against Andorra is worth taking.
Another of England's leaders, DECLAN RICE has emerged as much more of a goal threat since joining Arsenal two years ago, an aspect to his club game that has translated to international football.
For the Gunners he has provided 22 assists and 16 goals in two seasons, a huge increase from his final campaign at West Ham where he delivered nine goal contributions in total.
In a Three Lions shirt he has gone from three goals in his opening 55 international appearances, to two goals and four assists in his next 11 - including assists in both starts during this World Cup qualifying campaign.
Backing him TO SCORE ANYTIME at 3/1 and for 1+ ASSISTS at 14/5 are both sensible plays.
Odds correct at 1100 BST (05/09/25)
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