Ace Football previews the World Cup qualifier between England and San Marino and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
England are widely expected to win and win big in their World Cup qualifier against San Marino on Thursday night.
The visitors are the lowest ranked side in the world and their recent form is nothing to write home about.
San Marino have lost 18 out of their last 20 competitive fixtures, with the remaining two ending in draws. To make matters worse, they have lost by at least four or more goals in about eight of those fixtures. Their biggest defeat of them all came in a 9-0 thrashing at the hands of Belgium back in October 2019.
Anything short of a win for England could count as a major disappointment tonight. Also, the Three Lions have won all of their games against San Marino in the past.
The last meeting between both sides saw England claim a 6-0 win back in 2015. All things being equal, we could be set for another similar score-line on Thursday night.
England Form and Stats
England were 4-0 winners over Iceland when last in action in November in the UEFA Nations League.
Gareth Southgate’s side were already guaranteed to miss out on qualification for the playoffs, but it was a comprehensive victory. The victory was courtesy of Declan Rice, Mason Mount, and two Phil Foden goals.
Back-to-back defeats in Group I had sealed England’s fate.
They lost 1-0 at home to eventual group runners-up Denmark were beaten 2-0 in Belgium as the Red Devils topped the group.
- England have never lost against San Marino (all competitions).
- England have not lost in 18 out of their last 20 home matches.
- England have scored at least a goal in 32 out of their last 34 home games.
San Marino Form and Stats
San Marino have drawn two of their last three matches courtesy of 0-0 draws with Liechtenstein and Gibraltar during the UEFA Nations League.
A 3-0 defeat at home to Latvia is sandwiched in between in a friendly.
Prior to drawing with Liechtenstein in October last year, San Marino had lost 40 games in a row.
They have scored just four times in the last 43 matches.
- San Marino have lost nine out of their last 10 away games (all competitions).
- San Marino have not scored a single goal in their last six games (all competitions).
- San Marino have seen BTTS (NO) in 16 out of their last 17 games (all competitions).
Team News
England squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Sam Johnstone, Nick Pope
Defenders: Ben Chilwell, Conor Coady, Eric Dier, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Jesse Lingard, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Ollie Watkins
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, midfielders Jordan Henderson, and Jack Grealish, and forwards Jordan Sancho all miss out due to injury.
San Marino squad
Goalkeepers: Elia Benedettini, Simone Benedettini, Alex Stimac, Matteo Zavoli
Defenders: Davide Simoncini, Mirko Palazzi, Cristian Brolli, Manuel Battistini, Andrea Grandoni, Marcello Mularoni, Alessandro D’Addario, Dante Rossi
Midfielders: Michele Cervellini, Enrico Golinucci, Alessandro Golinucci, Fabio Tomassini, Lorenzo Lunadei, Mattia Giardi, Michael Battistini, Tommaso Zafferani, Luca Ceccaroli, Kevin Zonzini, Luca Nanni
Forwards: Matteo Vitaioli, Adolfo Hirsch, Filippo Berardi, Nicola Nanni, Marco Bernardi
No injury concern whatsoever.
Predicted Line-up
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Head-to-head
England have won all six previous matches against San Marino, five of them to nil. The most recent was a routine 6-0 win in 2015 in a European Championship qualifier.
Match Facts
Betting Tips
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