England v Switzerland – Correct Score: 2-0 – 5/1
The bunting and flags may have been packed away since the summer for England fans, but the sense of optimism surrounding Gareth Southgate’s fledging outfit was still quite noticeable post-World Cup.
However, the fact The Three Lions have now lost their last three games and four of their last six seems to have flown completely under the radar for the English sporting public.
Luckily for them (and Southgate) an old reliable is coming to Leicester, carrying with them an awful record against England. Despite dismantling England’s Euro 2016 conquerors Iceland 6-0 last on Saturday, Switzerland arrive knowing the last time they managed to beat the hosts was almost three decades ago.
England have also found more holes in their visitor’s defence than a slice of Swiss cheese, scoring 14 past them in their last six meetings. Having beaten the Shaqiri and Co 2-0 home and away in their last two qualifier meetings, we’re backing Southgate’s boys to make it a three-peat on Tuesday at a tasty 5/1.
Both teams to Score: No – 4/6
We’ve kind of given this away, like Steve Holland does with England’s team before games, in our pick above. But, hear us out!
Not only have England held Switzerland scoreless in the last two of meetings of the sides, but an utterly toothless, yet gritty Sweden side managed to keep them quiet as they tried to make the World Cup quarter finals for the first time since 1954.
We reckon that Harry Maguire and John Stones will fancy holding them blank for a third time in a row and we’re taking the 4/6 punt on it happening again.
Harry Kane to score any time – 8/11
Little did England’s striking talisman Harry Kane know after he netted in that historic World Cup victory over Colombia – making it nine goals for him in 10 internationals – that a mini-drought in the white jersey was just around the corner.
Kane is now four internationals without a goal, but he has a positive history against Switzerland to fall back on, having scored against them in just his fourth cap for his country.
Interestingly, eight of England’s last 13 goals have come via Tottenham players and ‘King’ Kane has smashed in six of those. We believe he’ll go all out to end his barren spell on Tuesday and he’s our pick to score at any time at 8/11.
Head over to PaddyPower.com for the latest football odds* All odds correct at time of posting.
