We offer our best bets as England round off their World Cup qualifying campaign with a testing trip to Albania on Sunday.
England’s perfect record in World Cup qualifying comes under threat from a highly motivated Albania side in Tirana on Sunday evening.
Thomas Tuchel’s side won their seventh qualifier in a row on Thursday on a rainy night at Wembley as goals from Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze eased the Three Lions to a 2-0 win over Serbia.
But Albania, who secured second place in Group D and a play-off spot with their concurrent 1-0 win in Andorra, will present a much tougher challenge.
The Red and Blacks made things difficult by putting 11 men behind the ball in the 2-0 Wembley win that got Tuchel’s reign off to a winning start and they know a point could be crucial in opening up an easier play-off path to next summer’s finals.
Here’s our Albania v England Bet Builder, with three selections that reflect recent form and tactical trends.
Albania vs England Bet Builder
1st Half Both Teams to Score – No @ 2/13
Phil Foden to score anytime @ 7/4
Albania +2 on 3-Way Handicap @ 7/10
Pays out at 8/1
Albania to keep it tight
Unlike England, who are home and hosed in terms of World Cup qualification, Albania still have plenty to play for.
They are heading to the play-offs after securing second place in Group D, but their path could be made more difficult by a defeat in this match.
The Red and Blacks are provisionally in pot two and, if results go their way and they stay there, they could be drawn to face the likes of North Macedonia, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Kosovo in March and, importantly, would play the semi-final match at home.
Albania’s recent home record is good enough to suggest that will be a major advantage and given their negative approach at Wembley earlier this year, they could again go on the defensive.
Both teams have not scored in the first half of their last five competitive home games and only one of their seven World Cup qualifiers saw goals at both ends before the break – a 1-1 draw with Latvia in which Albania equalised in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time.
Leg 1: 1st Half Both Teams to Score – No @ 2/13
Foden ready to end Three Lions drought
It’s been over two years since Phil Foden scored his last international goal, but his recent upturn in form suggests he could end his Three Lions drought in Tirana.
The Manchester City star came off the bench to assist Eze’s late clincher at Wembley and his 25-minute cameo could convince Tuchel to give him a start.
The England coach has already indicated he sees Foden as a central attacker in his system, playing behind a striker.
That positional switch could pave the way for him to get on the end of some quality service from out wide as England look to break down a resolute Albania rearguard.
Foden has registered seven goals and four assists in his last 8 games for City and has tended to produce more in the Champions League and World Club Cup than in domestic competition, perhaps suggesting his skills are better suited to international opposition.
Leg 2: Phil Foden to score anytime @ 7/4
Red and Blacks can run England close
Albania’s resilience could see them keep this contest close for long periods – especially with the home crowd behind them in Tirana.
Sylvinho’s side were prepared to suffer when they came to Wembley and, although they fell behind inside 20 minutes, kept battling for the remainder of the game and only shipped one more goal.
They have conceded only once more in six subsequent qualifiers and will not be easy to break down again if recent form counts for anything.
However, Albania have never previously avoided defeat against England so it could take a superhuman effort for them to grab a draw on Sunday.
Backing the home side to win with a +2 handicap makes sense as they have not lost a home match by more than a goal since a 3-1 reverse against Italy in November 2022 – a run that spans 13 matches.
Leg 3: Albania +2 on 3-Way Handicap @ 7/10
