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Albania vs England predictions: Three Lions to overpower their hosts

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Joe ChampionJoe Champion
Thomas Tuchel will be hoping his England side can round off their World Cup qualifying campaign in style
Thomas Tuchel will be hoping his England side can round off their World Cup qualifying campaign in style
  • England have won all seven World Cup qualifiers, scoring 20 goals without reply

  • The Three Lions have won by at least two goals in all seven previous clashes with Albania

  • Recommended bet: England - 1 handicap

Having made certain of World Cup qualification after just six games, England registered a comfortable 2-0 triumph over Serbia at Wembley on Thursday, and Thomas Tuchel will be hoping to make it eight from eight at Albania's Arena Kombetare on Sunday.

England have nothing to play for, but a number of squad members have plenty to prove with this match marking a final competitive chance to stake a claim for inclusion in next summer's World Cup squad.

Albania also know their fate — they are assured of a play-off place after Thursday's 1-0 win over Andorra sent them four points clear of Serbia. They will be eager to put an end to England's fine form, but class should win out in the Balkans.

The latest Albania vs England odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Team news

Albania have no fresh injury concerns, although Sylvinho could be tempted to make a few changes to the starting line-up which faced Andorra.

Thomas Tuchel, meanwhile, is almost certain to shuffle England's pack. Jude Bellingham is in line to come in at the expense of Morgan Rogers, while Phil Foden and Eberechi Eze will also be hoping for starts.

Dean Henderson will hope to get a chance in goal but his Crystal Palace teammate Marc Guehi, who sat out Thursday's win over Serbia, has withdrawn from the squad.

The latest Albania vs England odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

England have won eight of nine matches under Thomas Tuchel.

The Three Lions have scored an average of 3.4 goals per game in their last five matches.

Captain Harry Kane has scored six goals in World Cup qualifying.

Albania have won four and drawn two in World Cup qualifying, losing only against England.

Sylvinho's Red and Blacks have not conceded a goal at home in their Group K campaign.

The hosts have scored only one goal in seven previous meetings with England.

The latest Albania vs England odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

There was some dissent in the early stages of Tuchel's England reign, but the German coach has masterminded serene progress to North America next summer, and his team can sign off in style with a dominant victory over Albania.

While tougher tasks are still to come, England have hardly had to break sweat in qualifying for the World Cup, improving throughout the campaign and easing to their latest victory over Serbia last time out.

The Serbs were thought to be the Three Lions' main challengers in Group K, but Albania have emerged as the second-best team in the section, which suggests this will be Tuchel's men's toughest test.

However, the hosts have wrapped up a play-off spot, so it is difficult to think of any reasons why England will not continue to assert their authority in what has been an unquestionably soft group.

Tuchel has the option to hand starts to those who did not feature from the beginning on Thursday, including Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Eberechi Eze — an embarrassment of attacking riches that Albania head coach Sylvinho is not close to having at his disposal.

As has been the case in their last five matches — which includes 5-0 away wins in Serbia and Latvia — England's class should tell and they can pull away to win by at least two goals.

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The latest Albania vs England odds are available on LiveScore Bet

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Albania vs England predictions: Three Lions to overpower their hosts