Exclusive:
Our betting expert with punts for Wembley, Italy against France and Scotland’s showdown in Poland PLUS a Champions League angle
Back Harry Kane to drive home his point at Wembley today.
A disgruntled Kane’s declaration that “England comes before club” carries a good deal more heft now he’s got a more hefty club to be putting England before.
It also hints at dressing room schism, and it might be that Thomas Tuchel inherits a Three Lions squad less chummy than the one that bloomed under Gareth Southgate.
For now, Harry is set to start against the Republic of Ireland (5pm, ITV) with a smile on his face – and why not?
If the chance to take shots at a genuinely B-grade defence that has nothing to play for, wasn’t incentive enough for England’s greatest goal grabber, a win guarantees promotion to League A.
Whether the prize of slightly fancier meaningless fixtures next time cuts any ice among the withdrawing types remains to be seen.
Chelsea scurrier Noni Madueke won’t care – he’s taking full advantage of the absentees. Get on at 4/1 (Hills) ‘OVER 0.5 assists’ if Madueke starts.
Kane ‘anytime scorer’ at 9/10 is pick of the most likely lads – he’s matching that rate when starting for club and country.
France head to Italy (7.45pm, Viaplay on YouTube) after having 24 fruitless shots in the 0-0 home shocker against Israel. No Kylian Mbappe again here.
With a Nations League quarter-final already in the bag for both countries, we’re guessing hard on line-ups and ambitions tonight, but it should be in-form Fiorentina striker Moise Kean’s turn to start for the hosts.
Everton reject Kean has scored in nine of 17 games for club and country this season, and is a fair enough ‘anytime scorer’ poke at 13/5 (Paddy, Bet365).
Scotland got a slice of luck for the big trip to Poland (tomorrow, 7.45pm, Viaplay on YouTube) – slippery Pole goalmachine Robert Lewandowski is on a duvet day.
But Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zielinski has all the tools to punish the Scots, could now be on pens and scored in both of Poland’s other home games – get on him ‘anytime scorer’ at 4/1 (Paddy).
Back in club football, Barcelona’s well-rested hitman Lewandowski looks the value angle at 8/1 (Skybet) to be ‘Champions League top scorer’.
