World Cup
2025-03-21 - England vs Albania
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA World Cup Qualifier
Friday 21st March 2025 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
England
The Thomas Tuchel era is set to begin for the England national team and the squad selected for the March World Cup Qualifiers has made it clear that there is only an interest in the Finals to be played next summer. Fans were perhaps disappointed with some of the veteran names that have been recalled after the successful foray through League B of the Nations League, but Tuchel is only interested in finding a squad that can win the World Cup for the first time since 1966.
Talent has not been an issue, but a change was requested by the fans after Gareth Southgate came up short at Euro 2024 with another defeat in the Final. That has extended England's wait for a major international tournament success, but the team should be able to progress through this World Cup Qualifying Group without too many issues before the build up to the Finals in the United States/Canada/Mexico.
England were not the most convincing of Euro 2024 Finalists having snatched victory from the jaws of defeat a couple of times before being undone by Spain in the Final. They were also beaten by Greece in the Nations League, but England won the other 5 Group games, including in Greece, to finish top of the section. England have been dominant at home in recent Qualifiers and will be expected to open with two wins this month.
Albania
Qualifying for the Euro 2016 and Euro 2024 Finals has been a huge success fo Albania, but the national team have not quite been able to do the same for the World Cup Finals. There are not as many places up for grabs for UEFA nations in the World Cup Finals compared with the expanded European Championship format, and Albania's relegation from League B of the Nations League will be a reminder of the challengers that await this team.
They only just finished behind Ukraine and Georgia for 2nd place in the Nations League, while Albania will do well to finish above England or rivals Serbia for at least an opportunity to earn a World Cup Finals spot through the Play Offs. Getting the toughest fixture out of the way first may help, and any kind of positive result at Wembley Stadium would offer Albania a major boost in confidence.
Albania played well at Euro 2024, but were unfortunate to be in the 'Group of Death' alongside Italy, Croatia and Spain. However, they have won 1 of their last 5 games, all in the Nations League, and that could have dented Albania's confidence. The side did win 2 of 3 away Group games in the Nations League, while Albania lost 1 of 4 away Euro 2024 Qualifiers.
Head to Head
England and Albania were in the same 2022 World Cup Qualifying Group and it was the former who won both games.
England have now hosted Albania 3 times and won 5-0, 2-0 and 5-0.
Prediction
Someone other than Gareth Southgate takes charge of England for the first time since 2016 when he took over from Sam Allardyce.
Once again the Football Association has looked abroad for a manager, although Thomas Tuchel is a very familiar name to Premier League fans having been in charge of Chelsea previously. Winning the Champions League while in charge at Stamford Bridge underlines the pedigree, but Tuchel is going to be very aware that this time in charge of England will be judged on whether he helps the nation win the World Cup next summer or not.
It all begins with this opening Qualifier and the manager has turned back to some familiar names that may have felt their time with the national team had passed on.
A new system may be used and it could take a bit of time for England to really settle under Thomas Tuchel with this being the first of a number of camps that will be in place before the World Cup Finals.
Respect has to be given to an Albania team that gave Italy, Croatia and Spain something to think about at Euro 2024 and who have definitely improved as a nation. Qualifying for the Euro Finals in 2016 and 2024 backs up that statement, although Albania have yet to make the World Cup Finals and were relegated from League B in the Nations League.
They will try and make things tough for England, but lost twice to this nation in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers.
The home team should have all of the quality needed to find a goal or two, and England will be well organised. This should see them secure a clean sheet on their way to an opening three points in a Group that England are expected to win without too many concerns, although the new manager may not escape criticism with the likelihood being that the hosts are more functional than exciting.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
England 2-0 Albania
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back England Win to Nil at 1.61 with Bet365
