England vs Wales
The match everybody has been waiting for since the draw for the European Championships was made arrives on Thursday when England take on Wales in Group B in a match which sees local rivalries displayed on the highest stage.
After beating Slovakia in their opening match the Welsh go into this game in Lens knowing if they turn England over they will qualify for the quarter finals while an England win will send them top of the group going into the final set of matches on Monday.
For 91 minutes England’s performance against Russia in their opening match was excellent. They created plenty, played with a dynamic pace and tempo that the Russians couldn’t match and were popping the ball around like a young, confident side which they had every right to be.
But then their weakness hit them as Russia stole an equaliser with almost their only chance to put a real dampener on the night for England and crank up the edginess of another promising dawn failing to be fulfilled. A repeat of the performance against Russia with a bit more of a clinical edge to it should give England a really good chance here.
Key Man
Raheem Sterling took plenty of stick in the previous game and rightly so because his end product was terrible but he is a key player for England in this match because he will directly oppose the weakest link in the Welsh defence. With Danny Rose enjoying attacking freedom down the left Sterling should be able to get into the box and really impact on the game.
It was a wonderful start to the tournament for the Welsh side as they saw off Slovakia 2-1. There was an air of fortune about the win it has to be said given that the keeper made a right Horlicks of the first goal and the winner was scuffed into the corner but on the balance of play it was probably just about deserved.
Unlike England, Wales’ strength lies in their defence. They set up to remain tight and hard to break down and then trust Gareth Bale and his support cast to create a chance which they will take at the other end. That makes this potentially an intriguing tactical battle.
Key Man
Gareth Bale is clearly a key man every time he steps onto the pitch for a Wales side but England are going to enjoy a lot of the ball with Dele Alli and Wayne Rooney getting into key areas so the protection for the defence has to be spot on so that there is always pressure on the ball. Joe Allen had an excellent first game and he could well be the key man for that reason.
Team News
England manager Roy Hodgson has given no impression that he is ready to make any changes for the match. If he does change then Jamie Vardy would be the obvious man to come in but I don’t see him starting. I think England will be unchanged.
Wales brought Joe Ledley off the bench in the previous match and he might be fit to start. Wayne Hennessey missed the Slovakia win but he is fit and is expected to make his tournament debut in between the sticks.
Head to Head
There have been 101 matches between England and Wales in the past and England have had much the better of their record. They have won 66 times and lost just 14 matches. There have also been 21 draws. That is largely irrelevant here because this is the best Welsh side for quite some time but it does spell out the stranglehold the English have over their neighbours.
England have won the last four matches between the two nations as well and they have all been without conceding so the Welsh have plenty to prove here.
Betting
Sometimes in sporting events and matches styles make for great occasions and I think this is one of those times. England love to have the ball and get on the front foot and go forward while Wales like to soak it up and pounce on the counter attack so we’re set for a great game here.
Much was made of the way England conceded late on and the way they appeared to try and sew up the game but we shouldn’t forget all the good from their performance and I’m of the belief that a similar showing here will be enough to get the job done if they can be more clinical in Wales’ penalty box.
Wales won their opening match but they looked nervy to me whenever they were attacked and if England get an early goal the game could really kick into life because Wales would need to adapt and attack a little more.
I don’t trust this England defence to keep a clean sheet so the serious odds against on both teams to score looks a fantastic bet but I do expect England’s extra quality to come through in the end too.
I don’t think England will run away with the match, the situation of the game pretty much dictates that the end scoreline will be tight but with the options they have in the starting XI and the added options off the bench that should tell in the end so I’ll add England by one goal to the betting repertoire for the match as well.
Tips
WON – Back England to win by 1 goal for a 3/10 stake at 3.40 with Boylesports
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WON – Back Both teams to score for a 4/10 stake at 2.30 with Betfair
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ENJOY THE MATCH!!!!!
