Slovenia v England: Can Three Lions maintain perfect start?
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It’s six points from two games in this qualifying campaign for England now, following a 2-0 win against Malta at the weekend. But up next for the Three Lions is arguably one of their toughest remaining tests in this qualifying campaign, as they head to Slovenia for the second time in just over a year.
But a lot has changed since last time England visited these shores.
For starters, scorer of two of England’s three goals on that day, Jack Wilshere, isn’t even in the travelling squad this time around, as the midfielder continues his bid to prove his worth on loan at Bournemouth.
In fact, only 10 of the 23 players that travelled to Ljubljana last year have boarded the plane this time.
So how can this relatively new-look England team grab another three vital points?
At 4/5, England head into this fixture as favourites, despite Slovenia boasting the home advantage. But it’s the visitors who have the psychological edge over their opponents, having won all four previous meetings between these two sides.
Building up momentum during a qualifying campaign is key to the success of any side. And last weekend’s victory over Malta was England’s second in as many games since their Euro 2016 exit.
In fact, that win further extended an unbeaten run in qualifying games which stretches back to 2009.
Though many of Gareth Southgate’s men will be facing Slovenia for the first time, there’s a healthy percentage of the travelling squad that featured in last year’s thriller against Srecko Katanec’s men, in which the visitors ran out 3-2 winners, thanks to an 86th-minute goal from skipper Wayne Rooney.
The Three Lions are yet to concede in this campaign though, and while we’re offering 40/1 for a repeat of last year’s scoreline, perhaps a more realistic bet is the 17/20 for England to earn yet another clean sheet.
Three players have found the net for England so far in this campaign, with Dele Alli and Daniel Sturridge both netting last weekend and Adam Lallana grabbing the winner away at Slovakia.
The latter is unavailable through injury tonight but his teammate Sturridge is 7/2 to open the scoring, while it’s 7/1 for Alli to get England off to a flier.
Only one of Slovenia’s last six games has seen more than one goal, and we’re offering 13/8 for under 1.5 tonight.
Keep checking Ladbrokes.com throughout the day as we’ll be offering a whole host of price boosts in the build-up to kick-off!
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
