England look to make a successful start to their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign as they host Czech Republic at Wembley.
England are coming off a very successful 2018 where they reached the World Cup Semi Finals and won their UEFA Nations Group and to start 2019 they’ll be seeking to build on that successful year.
Czech Republic haven’t had quite the year however and have established themselves as an average European side. They took part in League B of the Nations League and finished 2nd meaning they didn’t get promoted nor relegated. It’s a team capable of surprises, but they’re not on the level they once were a decade or so ago.
England have been exceptional at Wembley over the years having won 15 of their last 16 competitive games in front of their fans with the lone defeat coming to Spain in the Nations League. England have not gone goalless in a competitive home game since 2010 which is great indication on where they are at when at home. One of the toughest places to go to and get a result.
The Czech have an okay away record recently winning 5 of last 10 (1D 4L) on their travels, but they haven’t had much success against elite teams since a 2-3 win at Holland in 2015.
Harry Kane without a doubt is the man to watch for England scoring 15 goals in his last 17 starts. Kane is one of the best strikers in the world and of course England’s best player arguably, there’s a reason he’s captain.
Patrik Schick is the danger man for the Czech’s. He’s not had quite the great season but the young striker can be very dangerous on his day. He scored 3 in 4 Nations League games for the country at the end of 2018.
England and Czech Republic have last met in 2008 which is over a decade ago in a friendly game and that resulted in a 2-2 draw which was also at Wembley. A LOT has changed since that meeting of course so it won’t have any impact on this upcoming game.
England are clear and by far the favourites to win this game at 1.31 while Czech’s are the ultimate underdogs at 13.50 with the Draw offered at 5.35. Odds based on Unibet.
Team News
England: England have a very strong squad brought up with the likes of Kane, Sterling, Walker, Alli etc will all be there.. However, Marcus Rashford has dropped out alongside Stones, Delph, Alexander-Arnold, Shaw and Loftus-Cheek. Talented teenagers Hudson-Odoi and Jadon Sancho have been brought up so we could see some serious fresh young blood get a chance.
Full Squad: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Tom Heaton (Burnley), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Ben Chilwell (Leicester City), Michael Keane (Everton), Harry Maguire (Leicester City), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), James Tarkowski (Burnley), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ross Barkley (Chelsea), Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Declan Rice (West Ham United), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Callum Wilson (Bournemouth).
Czech Republic: Here’s the full squad selected for the Czech’s: Jiri Pavlenka (Werder Bremen), Tomas Koubek (Stade Rennes), Ondrej Celustka (Antalyaspor), Theo Gebre Selassie (Werder Bremen), Filip Novak (Trabzonspor), Pavel Kaderabek (Hoffenheim), Ondrej Kudela (Slavia), Tomas Kalas (Bristol City), Marek Suchy (Basel), Vladimir Coufal (Slavia), Jakub Jankto (Sampdoria), Tomas Soucek (Slavia), Lukas Masopust (Slavia), David Pavelka (Kasimpasa), Alex Kral (Slavia), Jaromir Zmrhal (Slavia), Matej Vydra (Burnley), Patrik Schick (Roma).
Interesting Stats
England have only lost one home game under Gareth Southgate (10W 4D 1L).
England are unbeaten in 18 straight UEFA Euro qualifying games entering this game (15W 3D).
Jadon Sancho is the only Englishman with double digit assists in Europe’s top five leagues this season. Creator.
5 of last 10 England competitive games at home have had over 2.5 Goals.
6 of last 10 Czech Republic competitive away games have had over 2.5 goals.
KICK OFF – 22nd March 2019 – 7:45pm UK Time
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