It’s the game that everyone in the UK has been waiting for since the draw for Euro 2016 was made, England versus Wales in Lens. UEFA, in all their intelligence have decided to schedule the game for 2PM in the afternoon, when the entire population of both countries is sat in the office. England have the bigger pool of players available to them, but Wales will have the best player on the pitch when the sides meet. Despite this, England are still favourites to win the group and progress to the next round at 5/7.
As soon as you don’t win your first game in a tournament, you’re in knockout football mode, and this is a must-win for England, with odds of 10/21 on them to do so. England drew their first game with Russia, and it’ll remain a mystery as to how they managed to draw that game. England had 14 shots on goal, yet managed to score just once, a free kick from Eric Dier. Aside from that free kick, the rest of the set pieces were taken by Harry Kane. Kane is England’s best striker and tipped to score at 11/10 against Wales, and is wasted by taking corners, as emphasised by having only 1 touch in the box against Russia. The defence was a concern before the tournament, and that worry was realised in additional time on Saturday night. Joe Hart faced 6 shots all game, but England’s inability to negotiate a half of football without conceding remains their undoing. An England clean sheet is backed at 20/23, whilst a repeat of Saturday’s late 92nd minute goal is priced at 11/10.
Wales are in a more advantageous position than England, having defeated Slovakia 2-1 on Saturday afternoon. They’re currently sat top of the group, and with Gareth Bale in their ranks, they possess one of the best players in the world, who will surely target England’s vulnerable defence. Bale is tipped to score at 57/20, and if Wales have any hope of winning, Bale will have to score for them. At 13/2, Wales are at a good price to win this game and despite a disparity in the odds, they aren’t as big an underdog as everyone thinks they are.
Match Prediction
An England defeat against Wales leaves both them and manager Roy Hodgson on the brink. Motivation will not be lacking in either team after Bale’s comments earlier in the week. This is sure to be a niggly encounter and expect there to be cards. A red card is priced at 3/1, whilst you can get 11/10 on over 4.5 cards to be issued in the match. The odds favour an England victory, but whether the Three Lions will be able to go through the game without conceding is still yet to be answered. Get England to win and both teams to score at 27/10.
Words by @DominicTrant
