England vs Wales Tips: Kane and Rogers can inspire Three Lions
There's a fresh positivity around England following September's 5-0 World Cup qualifying win in Serbia and they are all but certain to qualify for next summer's World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The Three Lions take on Latvia on Tuesday, but before that they host Wales in a friendly.
Thomas Tuchel is expected to name a strong side as he builds consistency within his selection, but the resurgent Welsh can give the home fans something to worry about at Wembley.
Team news
Tuchel raised eyebrows with the omissions of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and the resurgent Jack Grealish.
Adam Wharton was another standout absentee, while September starters Noni Madueke and Tino Livramento are injured, but Bukayo Saka and John Stones are back in contention.
Saka could come straight back in to replace Arsenal colleague Madueke on the right, while for Wales, Dan James and Aaron Ramsey have had to drop out due to injury, with Cardiff pair Isaak Davies and Rubin Colwill earning call-ups.
Jay Dasilva, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Nathan Broadhead have been recalled after missing the September internationals, with the Leeds pair of Rodon and Ampadu both expected to feature in both games this month.
Tip 1 – England to win and both teams to score @ 9/4
Craig Bellamy's approach has made Wales an exciting team to watch and they will be ready to take the game to their hosts at Wembley.
June's 4-3 defeat in Belgium was their standout performance under the coach, as they came from 3-0 down to draw level at 3-3, only to lose 4-3.
They host the Belgians in the return Group J qualifier on Monday in the game that could decide the Dragons' qualifying fate, especially with De Rode Duivels taking on current pool leaders North Macedonia on Friday.
Thursday's match being a friendly doesn't mean Tuchel will select a weaker side to protect players ahead of Tuesday's Group K qualifier in Latvia.
England kept clean sheets in September's 2-0 win over Andorra and 5-0 success in Serbia, but could be in trouble against an improving and abrasive Wales side ready to embrace their underdog tag.
Bellamy's team had scored in six games in a row before a much-changed side succumbed 1-0 in last month's friendly against Canada, and they can test Tuchel's defence.
Tip 2 – Harry Kane to score first @ 12/5
The expectation that Harry Kane will start at Wembley makes him an unavoidable tip considering his current numbers.
Arguably the most in-form player in world football, he has scored 18 times in 10 appearances for Bayern Munich this season and also netted in last month's victory in Serbia.
The 32-year-old's attitude and form are such that he won't accept being on the bench after scoring six times in his last seven appearances for the national team.
Kane has only failed to score in two of his 12 appearances for club and country this season and could give the Three Lions the lead.
Tip 3 – Morgan Rogers to assist @ 18/5
Tuchel's decision to omit Bellingham and Foden for these October fixtures hints that he is happy to continue with Morgan Rogers in the number 10 role.
Aston Villa's early difficulties meant the 23-year-old's best performances in the opening weeks of the season came for the Three Lions.
He was even criticised by Unai Emery, but has bounced back to form for his club and his assist in Sunday's 2-1 win over Burnley was his ninth in open play in 2025.
That is the most of any Premier League player in the current calendar year, while his deft flick also laid on Madueke's goal against Serbia.
October's games are another chance for Rogers to prove he deserves to start in the summer and another assist would be timely.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
