The Three Lions are on the march and their next hunt takes place at 7pm when they meet USA in a Group B clash. A win for England would seal their passage to the last 16, a draw might even be enough; but we don’t want to entertain the idea of a draw do we?
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After hitting Iran for six I am expecting England to line up in pretty much the same way, my only concern at this stage is the involvement of captain Harry Kane.
There one criticism you could aim towards Southgate after Iran was he had ample opportunity to substitute Harry Kane after picking up a knock early in the second half, and in reflection I am sure the manager would probably have taken him off as soon as he picked up that injury. Allowing him to play for another 25 minutes on an ankle that we already know has been a consistent problem for Kane over the years could have potentially disastrous implications for our star asset.
Regardless of Kane potentially missing out I’m full of excitement for this game. If we can back up the 6-2 win on Monday with another statement performance here the confidence these lads will carry through to the knockout stages will be immense. I can’t see Gareth reverting back to old ways, I think the 4-3-3 has to be here to stay now given what we saw against the Iranians.
England were a lot more fluent in their attacking play and a lot more penetrative in their build up. The formation really brings the best out of our squad and you can see how much more comfortable they look having operated in the system week in week out in the Premier League.
Trippier and Shaw linked defence and attack on the flanks really well and put in some quality deliveries throughout. All in all it was a complete contrast to what we witnessed during a torrid UEFA Nations League campaign.
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England v USA Free Tips
Jude Bellingham lit up the tournament on his World Cup debut and scored England’s first goal. I’m not sure you will find a more accomplished midfield performance from someone so young on a stage like this. England have an elite talent on their hands who looks hungry and we need to build our midfield around him. That performance I am sure has cemented his place in the starting XI for the remainder of this tournament.
The Dortmund dynamo set the tone for the rest of the team and the lads all responded after his opener. Looking at the odds on goalscorers for this game I have been reeled in by Jude to get on the scoresheet again on Friday priced at 6/1 with Betfair.
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Jude Bellingham to score anytime - 6/1
Sam likes Bellingham to get on the scoresheet again
Another bright spark for England was two-goal hero Bukayo Saka who justified Southgate’s big decision to put him in the side ahead of Foden. Saka was a livewire through his time on the field and was clinical when put through on goal. After such a strong showing it will be impossible for Southgate to leave him out against USA so expect to see him in the starting XI again.
With a first-half goal and a second-half goal scored on Monday I am backing Saka to have a shot on target in each half at 11/2 with Betfair. I think he now has a taste for goals at this World Cup and he will be looking to add to his tally.
Bukayo Saka to have a shot in each half - 11/2
After an impressive performance on Monday, more of the same is expected
As for the Yanks they enter the game off the back of a 1-1 draw with Wales. Gregg Berhalter’s side put in a good first-half performance against the Welsh but looked a different team when they came out for the second-half. One thing we can expect of the Americans is that they will be full of energy and looking to press England at every opportunity. USA have progressed from the group stages in their last two World Cup’s most memorably for the English when they topped a group containing England, Slovenia, Algeria and the United States.
Berhalter received criticism from large chunks of the American fanbase for his sides failures to build on that first half goal from Timothy Weah and seemingly looking to hold out for a 1-0 win. The Wales game was arguably their World Cup final and three points could have been the catalyst for last 16 qualification.
With the Stars and Stripes intense pressing style of play I think the full backs might get overloaded at times, with England looking to use the full width of the pitch to break the press. I noticed a few times in the Wales game that Barcelona youngster Sergino Dest was under pressure and at times struggling when doubled up on, highlighted by his 11th minute yellow card and subsequent substitution in the 2nd half. I am backing Sergino Dest to commit 2 or more fouls at 15/8 with Betfair.
Sergino Dest to commit two or more fouls - 15/8
The full back looks set to be tested on Friday
Team News
The likelihood is that Gareth won’t want to tamper with the team too much after Monday’s performance against Iran. Harry Kane is undergoing a scan which will reveal the extent of his ankle injury, if I was Gareth I could be tempted to leave the captain out of this one and instead look to use either Marcus Rashford or Callum Wilson to lead the line and take no unnecessary risks. Kyle Walker and James Maddison have trained well and should be ready for minutes if called upon but I wouldn’t expect to see them in the starting lineup.
USA have a couple of injury concerns after the Wales game with Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah both having to be replaced. Don’t be surprised to see Brendan Aaronsen and Kelly Acosta take their spot in the starting eleven on Friday.
Match stats
- England have won 8 of their last 11 meetings against the USA.
- England have scored 39 goals in their last 11 meetings with the Americans.
- The United States are unbeaten in their last two World Cup clashes with the Three Lions.
- England are looking to win their first two games in a World Cup for just the fourth time.
England v USA Correct Score Prediction
I’m feeling confident ahead of this game, the lads have got me excited and I am hoping they play with the same energy and swagger they had against Iran. I think if we can get the first goal and do it in the first half there are more goals to be had for us.
England 4 USA 1 (20/1 with Betfair)
England 4-1 USA - 20/1
Sam fancies another big England win
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