World Cup 2018 Odds and Prediction: England Team Betting Preview
For a team that his been a staple in the World Cup final for the past 30 years, England supporters don’t expect much from this side in Russia. That said, with a new manager at the helm and a number of new players occupying key roles, England has a good chance to get through the initial group stage. From there, we’ll see whether this group is really any different from England’s previous international squads. Click here for 2018 World Cup betting odds for England’s matches.
2018 World Cup: England Betting Preview
Odds to advance: -833
Odds to win World Cup: +1700
World Cup wins: Champions in 1966, fourth in 1990
FIFA World Ranking: 13
Manager: Gareth Southgate
Captain: Harry Kane
England Players to Watch
Harry Kane: Harry Kane will be counted to put away his chances and he needs to be on top form for England to have much success in this tournament. He’s one of the deadliest and most consistent scorers in the world and is pegged at +1500 to win the Golden Boot. How he goes will go a long way in determining how successful England will be in Russia.
Raheem Sterling: Questionable tattoo choices and punctuality aside, Raheem Sterling had better hope his performance on the pitch does the talking for him. He’s coming off an excellent campaign with Man City, but hasn’t scored for England in his last 20 caps and is feeling the pressure from the press. England will need him at the top of his game.
Gary Cahill: Cahill is 32 years old and feared for his spot on England after struggling early in 2018. Now he could end up being a key part of an aging defence. He’s played very well recently and if he (along with Ashley Young) can keep the England back line cool and composed, England will be able to push forward with confidence.
England World Cup Formation and Projected Starting 11
Formation: 3-5-1-1
Projected Starting 11: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Cahill, Trippier, Henderson, Dier, Alli, Rose, Sterling, Kane
England Strengths
Dare we say that England’s main strengths will be possession, pushing the ball forward and creating chances? It’s a stark contrast from previous editions of the Three Lions, but that’s how it looks on paper. If the backs and midfielders can connect with Sterling and Kane, we should see goals from England.
England Weaknesses
There’s an old saying that if you have two or three goalkeepers, you don’t really have one goalkeeper. Jordan Pickford will get England’s first start of the tournament, but Jack Butland and Nick Pope were also in the mix. None of England’s goalkeeping options has much international experience and there are some questions as to whether the team’s fullbacks can hold up against elite strikers.
England News
With Raheem Sterling dominating headlines recently, it takes the spotlight off this team’s big questions at the back. Pickford seems like the choice to begin with in goal, but the 24-year-old has just three caps with England. If the back line springs leaks will he be able to plug enough holes to keep England afloat into the knockout stages?
England World Cup Betting Prediction
Belgium aside, England has to be happy with the group draw and schedule. In terms of World Cup betting odds, they open the tournament as -278 favourites against Tunisia on June 18 and will be heavily favoured again in their next game against Panama on June 24. If they take care of business early, their last match against Belgium will likely be for first place, with their spot in the knockout round already in the bag.
From there, it’s hard to have much confidence in this team given past results. Bowing out in the quarterfinal (+218) seems very reasonable and a semifinal exit at +502 isn’t out of the question. It’s just hard to know what you’ll get from this squad though. Your best course of action is to tread lightly on the futures and outrights and focus on each of England’s matches. Kane to score is never a bad bet and there could be value in the over in all of England’s Group G encounters.