There’s no question about it that England have got off to a flying start in the qualification round for Euro 2020. There’s also no doubt that all England fans will be hoping that football really will be coming home at the final to be held at Wembley Stadium on 12 July 2020, the thrilling culmination of 50 tournament matches played over 12 European locations during the month leading up to the final. However, there’s still a long way to go yet, not to mention the challenge of some fearsome international opposition keen to put in some better performances than they managed in Russia in 2018.
So far England are certainly showing the spirit that saw them through to the semi-finals of the World Cup in the Group A matches that they have played to date. First up were the Czech Republic who were soundly beaten 5-0. The main talking point of the match was Raheem Sterling’s hat trick and Harry Kane’s penalty during extra time for the first half. The Czechs’ miserable night was then capped by an own goal by Tomas Kalas in the 84th minute of the game.
Three days later England once again won with five goals, this time against Montenegro. Again, Sterling and Kane appeared on the score sheet and this time they were joined by Ross Barkley putting two away with Michael Keane opening the scoring in the 30th minute.
That was back in March and September sees the resumption of the qualification group stage with ties against Bulgaria and Kosovo at Wembley and Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium respectively.
Following the relatively disappointing performance in the summer’s UEFA Nation’s League, being dumped out at the semi-final stage by Holland, Gareth Southgate has already stated that he needs more from his players and will have no hesitation in dropping those who fail to provide it. He’s already shown his ruthlessness in dropping John Stones after his poor performance against Holland so every player’s going to have to be on their mettle.
On paper, the upcoming fixtures shouldn’t present too many problems. Bulgaria are rated 29 and Kosovo 42 out of the 55 teams competing for a place in next summer’s finals. But it doesn’t do to be too complacent, as the encounter with Iceland in Euro 2016 only went to show.
Looking to the first match, history is certainly on England’s side. Over ten meetings between 1962 and 2011 England have won six and drawn four so anyone planning some online football betting with 888 should find the odds very much in England’s favour.
Bulgarian danger men to look out for include the striker Ivelin Popov who plays his club football for FC Rostov and who has made no less than 84 appearances for the national side, scoring 15 goals in the process. Todor Nedelev is also one to be watched. Still only 26, the attacking midfielder has started scoring in recent matches and is becoming a regular fixture in the team.
Turning to the Kosovo match, they may be relative minnows in the grand scheme of international football but could still pose a threat nevertheless. England have never played them before and this will undoubtedly be the biggest match in their relatively short footballing history – so they’ll certainly have something to prove.
In recent games their goal scorers have included Milot Rashica who also plays for the German side Werder Bremen and the former Norwegian Under 21 International, Elba Rashani.
In terms of players who England will be relying on, the list almost writes itself. Naturally, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling will be critical when it comes to goal scoring For the midfield, Southgate will be looking to players like Jordan Henderson and Harry Winks to step up to the plate while, in defence, it’s going to be up to players like Harry Maguire and Michael Keane to support Jordan Pickford in goal.
So we can probably afford to be quite optimistic at this stage, especially as England are already guaranteed a place in the play-offs. It ‘s also going to be great preparation for when they come up against some tougher opposition, as well as giving Southgate the chance experiment with line-ups and playing styles too until he hits on the winning combination.
