England to thrash Bulgaria in front of home crowd
Top plays bottom in Group A at Wembley with Gareth Southgate’s Nations League third-placed England, taking on Bulgaria who have never won against the 1966 World Cup winners in 10 attempts. The last meeting between these two nations was in the qualifying tournament for Euro 2012 and England came away with the spoils 3-0 with all their goals coming in the first half. It should be straightforward for the Three Lions to win convincingly.
Recent form
Formidable at home England have won 12 Euro qualifiers on the bounce, scoring the opening goal within 30 minutes in six of their last nine also 12 of their last 13 home wins have been accompanied by a clean sheet. The star-studded lineup at Southgate’s disposal is on a completely different level to that of Krasimir Balakov, even with the experimental and fresh faced squad the ex-Middlesbrough gaffer has picked.
Key men
The outstanding talents in England’s side lie in attacking positions in that of Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane. Captain Kane has had his injury troubles over the last year, particularly his ankle, and therefore may not be used in both of England’s matches in this international break. However, rushed back into the side to play in the UEFA Nations League finals in June shows how crucial he is to the way the waistcoat enthusiast likes to play.
Sterling has undergone an incredible transformation in front of goal whilst playing under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and has been consistently competitive for the Premier League golden boot in the last few seasons. His supporting cast is weaker at international level however as he showed with his hattrick against the Czech Republic he has turned a goalscoring corner and is ready to transition his prolific domestic returns onto the world stage. The versatile frontman has eight goals for his country from 51 caps but his club form would suggest that ratio is about to experience a sharp increase, with five league goals already this term he will be hungry to prove his doubters wrong as ever.
Bulgaria
Ranked 60thin the Fifa World Rankings, they are a side travelling to England with little hope and optimism. Their captain and most-capped player in the squad is striker Ivelin Popov who is an experienced Russian Premier League player currently with Rostov, he has 15 goals in 87 caps in 12 years and will be looking to create his own history in aiming for one of the greatest results in his nations’ history should they come away from Wembley with anything on Saturday evening.
England will thrash a hopeless Bulgaria who will tire in the closing exchanges giving the hosts’ substitutes the chance to make a large impact on proceedings.
England – Bulgaria Betting Tip
England to Win by 4 or more goals with Paddy Power at odds of 9/4.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
A Harry Kane hattrick and a Raheem Sterling goal saw England win easily by four goals.