Matt Holt v Paul King: Top tipsters predict England v Malta

While some may use the international break to take a breather there’s no let-up as far as our top Twitter tipsters Matt Holt and Paul King are concerned. 

Our intrepid pair have spotted plenty of opportunities to turn a profit with England v Malta firmly in their sights.

As the official FA bookmaker, Ladbrokes haven’t missed a trick, with some of the bookies’ match specials certainly catching the eye.

Here are Matt and Paul’s best bets as they go head-to-head once again…

MATT HOLT

Michail Antonio to Score a Header (15/8)

Since joining West Ham in September 2015, Michail Antonio has scored 13 Premier League goals – 11 of those have been headed. That’s the most headed goals of any player in the league, not bad for a 5ft 11in “right-back.”

He’s scored five goals in seven games so far this season (all of which were headed) and is therefore the Premier League’s second highest scorer.

I want Southgate to be adventurous with his first England side so I’m expecting Antonio to get at least 30 minutes against Malta – which is more than enough time for someone to stick the ball on his head.

England -3 Handicap (1/2)

Malta have a really poor record in World Cup Qualifying. They’ve lost two of their last three away qualifiers 6-0 and the -3 handicap has been covered four times in their last seven.

England are fairly good at home in World Cup qualifiers. They’ve won their last four 15-1 on aggregate and covered the handicap four times out of eight.

I’m expectant of a fairly young and hungry England side making their superiority count in an emphatic win.

PAUL KING

Two or More Manchester United Players to Score (6/5)

Manchester United have three attacking players in the England squad for the first time in a long time.

Marcus Rashford is bang on form at the minute and I definitely expect him to bag, but 4/11 on the youngster scoring is a little skinny.

If Wayne Rooney is to end his current goal drought against anyone then I expect Malta at Wembley could be a decent place for him to start. He hasn’t scored since the opening game of the Premier League season but he could extend his lead as England’s top goalscorer.

Then there’s Jesse Lingard, who’s playing fairly well at the minute and should get the chance to impress on his National debut. Chris Smalling is also in the side and is always a danger from corners so watch out for that too – 6/5 just might not be a bad price.

Theo Walcott to Score and England to Win (3/4)

It looks like the prospect of being sold to West Ham was a wake-up call for Theo Walcott as the winger has found his shooting boots again, netting four goals in his last four Arsenal games.

His pace should be too much for the Malta defence and if England can find him in space then I reckon he’s got a great chance of bagging.

I think he’s the best value bet in the England forward line on recent form.

Who’ll win this week’s battle?

Join in the conversation via @Ladbrokes and @TheOddsbible and get on our selections!

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing