12 Jun 2019
This weekend sees the return of international football after a fascinating summer of football over in Russia at the World Cup. In particular, Gareth Southgate’s Lions will expect a rousing reception at Wembley as they take part in their first competitive international since their 4th place finish at the World Cup in the brand-new UEFA Nations League.
Lining up against a Spanish side that will no doubt be licking their wounds after a premature exit at the hands of hosts Russia at the World Cup, the fixture looks an enticing one, as each side will no doubt want to assert their dominance for very different reasons.
Having met 25 times before, England lead the way with 13 wins, but with just one win in their last six against the Spaniards, they’ll be keen to notch what would be just a third win since 2001.
New manager Luis Enrique has named 11 new faces in his 24-man party for the clash, but it appears it could be very much so the case that youth trumps experience in this encounter.
Harry Kane and Alvaro Morata will be hungry for goals, which could well come by the shed load if the likes of Marcos Alonso and Kieran Tripper can find full flow. Here we break down the key battles…
Harry Kane vs Alvaro Morata
After an electric summer for Harry Kane who continued to reach new heights by walking away with the Golden Boot at the World Cup, the Spurs man has managed to shake of his August woes to put away two goals in kickstarting his Premier League campaign. On home turf, we think he looks a strong prospect to once again get in on the act at football betting odds of 3/1 to score anytime.
From a Spanish point of view, Alvaro Morata, a man that had very contrasting fortunes to Kane in the Premier League last season, will hope he can seize the opportunity provided to him by incoming Spanish coach Luis Enrique to get among the goals. The big man seems somewhat of a rejuvenated character so far this season under Maurizio Sarri and will hope to add to an important goal in the league of recent against Arsenal. He comes in at 11/2 to score anytime.
Alonso vs Trippier
Aside from the key goalscoring threats, Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso and Kieran Trippier could well be the potential providers on the pitch, as we fancy over 2.5 goals at UEFA Nations League betting odds of 5/4.
Between the pair, they’ve scored two goals, racked up three assists and created no fewer than three ‘big chances’ as determined by the Premier League’s stats this season. For Trippier, he’ll be hoping he can continue to build his reputation as a bit of a free kick maestro, having scored his last two via that method. Get him to score anytime at football betting odds of 20/1.
Youth trumps experience
Despite it being Luis Enrique’s first leap into international football, it’s hard to see him struggling to adjust having worked with many of the players at his disposal before.
That being said, at the World Cup it appeared England finally started to establish a somewhat solid back line. With the likes of Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier getting their seasons off to a strong start and the lack of a menacing Diego Costa, we think the two ageing Sergios, Ramos and Busquets could be in trouble here. Get England at football betting odds of 17/10 to win.
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