Football
England vs Albania Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Date: March 21, 2025 Venue: Wembley Stadium Kickoff Time: 21:45 A new era for English football is set to unfold as new head coach Thomas Tuchel begins his tenure with the Three Lions. The German tactician will lead England in his first match in the dugout against an unpredictable Albania outfit. The anticipation building up around this fixture will have you on the edge of your seat as Tuchel looks for a positive start, while Albania seeks to cause an upset. If you’re a lover of sports betting, make sure to check out the best football betting sites!
Jude Bellingham of England//Getty Images
On March 21, at Wembley Stadium, two nations will clash in the opening match of the Group K World Cup qualifiers. Fans and punters alike will be eager to see how this matchup unfolds, as both teams aim for a positive start in their quest for World Cup qualification.
Pre-Game Odds & Win Probability
HOME: 7/50 (1.14) – 87.7%
DRAW: 27/5 (6.40) – 15.6%
AWAY: 14/1 (15.00) – 6.7%
Odds courtesy of 1Win, subject to change.
Head-To-Head Record
Last four meetings (all competitions)
12/11/2021: England 5-0 Albania
28/03/2021: Albania 0-2 England
05/09/2001: England 2-0 Albania
28/03/2001: Albania 1-3 England
England Current Form – WWWLW
The World No.4 ranked team England has produced outstanding performances heading into this World Cup qualifier. Lee Carsley, who took over as interim manager after Gareth Southgate stepped down, had England playing with newfound energy and fluidity in their previous six matches.
They managed to score 16 goals, conceded three, and kept four clean sheets across their last six matches, with their most dominant victory coming in the form of a 5-0 hammering against Ireland, showcasing their undeniable quality in attack and defensive solidity. Thomas Tuchel and his men will be determined to maintain this hot form, especially with home-ground advantage.
Key Players To Watch
- Harry Kane: Kane is England's all-time leading goal scorer, consistently delivering goals in crucial matches. His ability to play as a traditional striker or drop into deeper roles provides tactical flexibility for the team. He has a wide range of finishing techniques, including powerful shots, delicate chips, and precise free-kicks.
- Jude Bellingham: Bellingham's energy and dynamism are crucial in both pressing the opposition and driving forward with the ball. His relentless work rate helps England maintain high intensity and his creative playmaking abilities add an extra dimension for the Three Lions in attack.
- Myles Lewis-Skelly: Myles Lewis-Skelly could make his debut for England. Despite his young age, Lewis-Skelly shows remarkable composure on the ball. He makes intelligent decisions and rarely succumbs to pressure from opponents. The Arsenal defender represents the future of English football. His development and growth are closely watched, and he is expected to be a key player for England in the coming years.
England Team News
Trent Alexander-Arnold picked up an ankle injury against PSG in the UEFA Champions League which has ruled him out of this fixture. John Stones is also unavailable due to a thigh injury he suffered against Real Madrid last month, and Bukayo Saka, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury since December. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer is also set to miss out after missing his side’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday.
Albania Current Form – LDWLL
Football in Albania has grown over the years and they proved it after a successful Euro 2024 campaign. That being said, the Red and Blacks come into this tough fixture with a mixed bag of results. Defensive issues have proven to be their biggest downfall after facing defeat against Ukraine, Czechia and Georgia without finding the back of the net.
The draw against Czechia in the second meeting showed signs of improvement but was not enough to claim the victory on the day. The trip to face Georgia was a must-win for Sylvinho and Kristjan Asllani was the hero on the night as his only goal of the match was enough to deliver the much-needed three points. Sylvinho will know how tough of a match this will be, and it will take tactical discipline from his men if they aim to come away with a positive result.
Key Players To Watch
- Kristjan Asllani: Asllani is a talented and versatile midfielder known for his technical skills and tactical intelligence. Despite his young age, Asllani has gained significant experience playing in Serie A with Inter Milan. His exposure to high-level football helps him bring a level of maturity and leadership to the national team. Asllani is also known for his ability to take set-pieces, including free-kicks and corners, adding another dimension to his team's attacking options.
- Nedim Bajrami: Bajrami can create scoring opportunities and provide key passes, making him a central figure in Albania's attacking play. Having played in top European leagues like Serie A and the Scottish Premiership, Bajrami brings valuable experience and composure to the national team.
- Qazim Laci: Laci excels as a box-to-box midfielder, contributing both defensively and offensively. He has excellent ball control and dribbling skills, which enable him to navigate through tight spaces and maintain possession under pressure.
Albania Team News
Defensive pair Elseid Hysaj, who is recovering from a lesion to the femoral bicep in his left thigh and Ardian Ismajli, fighting a recurring thigh injury, will be a huge miss for Sylvinho. Sparta Prague forward Indrit Tuci will be a doubt due to a muscle problem.
Predicted Line-Up
England; 4-2-3-1: J. Pickford, K. Walker, M. Guehi, L. Colwill, M. Lewis-Skelly, D. Rice, C. Jones, J. Bellingham, M. Gibbs-White, A. Gordon, H. Kane
Albania; 4-2-3-1: T. Strakosha, I. Balliu, A. Ajeti, M. Kumbulla, M. Mitaj, Y. Ramadani, K. Asllani, J. Asani, Q. Laci, N. Bajrami, M. Daku
Suggested Bets
Looking for betting tips and predictions on other World Cup qualifiers taking place? SportsBoom has you covered.
England to Win: We are confidently backing England to claim a big win. With home-ground advantage and a far more superior team, expect England to dominate proceedings. Betting at 7/50 (1.14) with Betway.
Both Teams To Score (Yes): With both teams ready to have a fair go at each other and the quality that will be on display, goals are likely to come in from both sides. Get on at 33/20 (2.65) with 1xBet.
Over 2.5 Goals: Another betting option supported by the goals market is to back over 2.5 goals here. Get stuck in at 61/100 (1.61) with Stake.
Value Bets
Using effective sports betting strategies helps you make smarter bets and reduces the bookmaker’s edge.
England To Win By 2 Goals: Thomas Tuchel will be out to prove that he is the right man for the job and with his attacking style of play, expect the Three Lions to outscore their opponents by 2 goals. Get on at 14/5 (3.80) with Betway.
First Goal Time: The atmosphere in Wembley Stadium will be bouncing as the fans look to give Tuchel a warm welcome. This is likely to enhance England’s performance and early goals are the likely outcome. Back the first goal to be scored from 31 to 40 minutes at 31/5 (7.2) on BetWinner.
First Half Both Teams To Score (Yes): This fixture is expected to test both defences in the early stages of this encounter. Get on at 57/10 (6.70) with N1Bet.
Prediction: England to Win
England has a solid history against Albania, having won their last two matches convincingly. The most recent encounter ended with a 5-0 victory for England. This favourable record allows Thomas Tuchel to adopt an attacking approach, enabling his key players to have a significant impact on the game as they strive to secure maximum points in this fixture. Achieving this goal will set a positive tone for the remainder of the qualifying matches.
For those interested in wagering on this fixture, exploring online betting sites can provide valuable insights and opportunities.
Marc Strydom is a dedicated sports lover with a wealth of experience in the sports betting industry, mostly as a Chief Editor of a sports betting publication in South Africa. While Marc’s enthusiasm covers many sports, football and NBA are his favourites. His articles feature on multiple top-rated platforms, covering a wide range of topics.
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