England vs Malta tips and predictions: Five-star Lions to clinch Euros seeding
Harry Kane celebrates
England will expect to round off their qualification campaign in style starting with a comfortable win against Malta at Wembley.
England beat Malta 4-0 in the reverse fixture and we’re expecting another romp on Friday.
England vs Malta team news
Luke Shaw, Ben Chilwell, Jude Bellingham, Levi Colwill, Lewis Dunk, James Maddison and Callum Wilson are all ruled out due to injury.
They have all featured in this campaign and would have otherwise been considered.
Harry Kane is on fire for Bayern Munich and is expected to lead the attack with Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford also in line for starts.
Suggested bets
England over 1.5 first-half goals
Key stats
- England have scored 19 goals across six qualifiers.
- Harry Kane is top scorer with seven goals.
- Malta have been outscored 10-0 across three meetings with England and Italy.
- Malta have been outscored 68-8 in away Euros qualifier this century.
England vs Malta verdict
England secured their place on the plane to Germany for Euro 2024 but need one more point to be mathematically sure of winning the group and claiming top seeding.
Malta are the latest rabbit in the headlights in a campaign that has witnessed the Three Lions average 3.16 goals per game.
Gareth Southgate’s side are embarking on the reverse of June’s international break which saw them win 4-0 in Malta and 7-0 at home to North Macedonia.
The come-from-behind win against Italy means England have now won 12 consecutive home Euro qualifiers by at least two goals.
Italy are far from a ruthless side yet it managed to crack four past the woefully exposed Henry Bonello in the Malta goal.
Kane’s eyes should be lighting up with greed considering he’s bagged 21 goals in 16 appearances for new club Bayern.
Unusually, 63% of England’s goals have come in the first half and it would be a nice luxury to have this one sewn up in double quick time to facilitate some rotation.
