England v Romania betting tips: Southgate set to pick big hitters
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Gareth Southgate gets a last chance to look at his England squad on Sunday before they kick off their Euro 2020 campaign against Croatia.
Southgate picked a mainly fringe squad for Wednesday’s 1-0 win against Austria, but he is likely to turn to his senior players for the Romania friendly which they start as 2/7 favourites.
For our England v Romania betting tips, we’re taking a look at some of the markets and odds for the game at the Riverside Stadium.
Match Odds
Southgate is set to bring back his big hitters for the game in Middlesbrough as England try to end a curious seven-match winless run against Romania since 1980, although their last meeting came 21 years ago.
England drew four and lost three of those games, so we go 17/4 on a draw, 11/1 on the visitors to win as they have done in the last two contests, or 27/10 in the double chance market.
However, Romania lost 2-1 at home to Georgia in a home friendly on Wednesday night when the hosts had attacker Florin Tanase sent off four minutes before the break, although things were levelled up in the second half when the visitors also had a player dismissed.
Named in #EURO2020 squad 👊
Strong display against Austria 🔥It's been a good few days for @JackGrealish!
— England (@England) June 3, 2021
England have won their last five matches, conceding just once in that spell, and are available at 10/11 to win to nil or 20/23 on a victory by over 2.5 goals which occurred in three of those matches.
Romania have scored and conceded in four of their last five games so we go 23/20 on goals at both ends or 11/5 on a Three Lions victory by that method.
They have also lost their last three matches by one-goal margins and a repeat can be backed at 13/5.
Talking Tactics
Southgate started Wednesday’s game with a fairly fluid 4-2-3-1 formation with Jack Grealish turning up all over the pitch but essentially playing as a number 10, while Bukayo Saka played on the left in front of Kieran Trippier.
The England coach is without Trent Alexander-Arnold who sustained a thigh injury in the second half which ended his Euro 2020 dream, with Kyle Walker and Reece James expected to be given run-outs, and Ben Chilwell or Luke Shaw probably getting 45 minutes at left-back.
Romania went with a 4-2-3-1 system in the 1-0 and 3-2 defeats by Germany and Armenia, but switched to a 4-3-3 against Georgia.
Goalscorer Odds
Kane is the favourite at 21/10 to draw first blood although he is not certain to start having played an hour of Wednesday’s friendly against Austria.
Southgate was without any of the Champions League finalists for the Riverside run-out so Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling are likely to start and they are both 9/2 to open the scoring or 8/5 and 17/10 respectively to find the net.
Jadon Sancho, who has scored three goals in 18 appearances for England, is also expected to start and is 15/8 to breach Romania’s defence, while Mason Mount is 13/5 to add to his tally of four in 16 outings.
Romania’s goals tend to be spread throughout the team but Claudiu Keseru was the top scorer in qualifying with six and he is 11/1 to break the deadlock or 4/1 in the any-time market, while Rangers attacker Ianis Hagi is 6/1 to find the net.
Match Info
Where: Riverside Stadium
When: 17:00, Sunday 6th June
How to watch: Sky Sports
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
