Calvert-Lewin to transpose club form for country
Thursday evening sees the return of international football to the calendar. England and Wales will both be hoping to use their friendly to hand minutes to a host of new, promising faces. Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in the form of his life at club level, and there is little reason to suggest it's a temporary phenomenon. Almost certain to lead the line for The Three Lions, he'll continue in the same vein. Read our preview here:
Kane and able
Regardless of whether Harry Kane is afforded more than 45 minutes, much like Calvert-Lewin, he appears to be renewed in 2020/2021. Equal parts facilitator, foil, and finisher, the marksman can perform a similar role under Gareth Southgate as he does for Carlo Ancelotti. Wales will probably be set up to absorb early pressure and feel their way into the contest whilst it remains goalless. However, even whilst taking into consideration recent soporific performances by England, a more experimental XI could just be the route out of the little rut. The strength in depth at full-back ought to see plenty of chances being created down the flanks for Kane to knock into the 21 year old's path to convert.
Much Ampadu about nothing
Talisman Gareth Bale is still working his way back to match fitness after a long and sorry saga on the fairways of Madrid and the sidelines at Real. Wales are far from a one-man band these days, but a superstar like the Spurs loanee would leave a void in any nation's squad. Kieffer Moore could be tasked with ploughing a lone furrow in the first period, and he will need support and accurate passing to hold onto the ball successfully. Ethan Ampadu, who recently joined Sheffield United on a temporary basis, will have two onerous tasks to perform - firstly, to track the movement of Calvert-Lewin, and secondly, to make raking, incisive passes out from the back to relieve pressure on his team. His individual showing in the fixture will go a long way to determining the result.
Home nations comforts
For a number of reasons, the profile of the game is relatively low, but that could actually help it turn out to be a more open affair as the tie wears, particularly without the partisan Wembley crowd behind England. Nevertheless, it's difficult to foresee anything other than an outcome heavily in England's favour. Confidence of many in the home camp will be sky high, and the galvanising effect that can have ought to translate to a favourable result for Southgate and Calvert-Lewin. Betway are offering odds of 4.50 for the Toffees hotshot to bag at least a brace.
