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Betting Preview of England at the World Cup

Ranked fifth in the FIFA World Men’s Rankings coming into the Qatar 2022 World Cup, England is perhaps in with its best shot of winning the trophy since the Golden Generation retired. Now is as good a time as ever to start putting your money behind the Three Lions squad with our top World Cup betting bookmakers. Read on to discover some of England’s top players, a recap of the qualification run, and betting tips for when the World Cup begins.

Top Players

While football is a team game, football matches are won and lost in single moments of skill from top players. Who can forget Robin Van Persie’s flying header against Spain? Or David Beckham’s free-kick against Greece? These were moments where top players took the game into their own hands and won. Look out for these England players to make a real difference to your betting at this World Cup:

Harry Kane

As one of Tottenham Hotspurs’ top goalscorers and one of the best strikers of the last decade, it’s no surprise England will rely on its captain Harry Kane. Winning the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup, Kane has changed as a player since 2018, operating deeper as a creator. However, he’s no less prolific for England, with 12 goals in eight World Cup Qualifiers. Closing in on 30, Kane will be desperate to win the first trophy of his career by leading the Three Lions to glory. The favorite to defend the Golden Boot with 7/1 odds at bet365 and among the top picks for the Golden Ball, Kane is undoubtedly England’s top player in times of need.

Raheem Sterling

The Euro 2020 hero, finishing a close second to Donnarumma for Player of the Tournament, scored three vital goals on England’s way to the final. These goals included a match-winner to send Germany out of the competition. When Sterling emerged as a youngster in 2012, his explosive pace and dribbling saw him tipped as the next English great. Sterling has scored 19 goals for England, and the Three Lions have never lost or drawn a game where he has scored. An in-play bet on England to win if Sterling hits the back of the net may be smart. Check out our top UK betting apps to find one of the best mobile platforms for in-play wagering.

Jordan Pickford

Famed for his exuberant celebrations and erratic keeping style, Jordan Pickford has earned his reputation through his excellent performances in an England shirt. With five clean sheets and several heroic penalty saves, Pickford was one of England’s best players at Euro 2020 and will go into the 2022 World Cup as a favourite for the Golden Glove. His club form has been mixed with Everton, and his competitors Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale have both played well for major teams Newcastle United and Arsenal. There is a chance that Pickford could lose his place before the World Cup, which makes betting on him more exciting. Pickford could either win the Golden Glove or not start a game.

Qualification Recap

Most fans who watched the Three Lions’ qualification campaign have little to complain about except a lack of genuine competition. Drawn into a straightforward qualification group, with nearest competitor Poland ranked 25th in the world, the Qualification Stage didn’t present much of a test for England. Nevertheless, Gareth Southgate’s men performed admirably, scoring 38 times in 10 unbeaten games to break the goal difference record for World Cup Qualifying.

Poland vs England 1-1

In perhaps the group’s most chaotic and exciting game, Poland fought back in the 92nd minute to claim a draw in Warsaw 2021. Feisty from the off as Polish fans booed the Three Lions taking the knee for Black Lives Matter, England went ahead from a fantastic long-distance strike from Harry Kane. However, the game was far from over, as Robert Lewandowski curled a brilliant ball for substitute Damian Szymanski to head home and deny England at the death.

Hungary vs England 0-4

In another hostile atmosphere, England thrashed Hungary 4-0 and sent a powerful message to a section of Hungarian fans who racially abused and hurled objects at England’s black players. The defining moment of the match was Sterling’s opening goal, where the England international removed his shirt to reveal an undershirt with an anti-racist message. Hungarian fans responded with booing, torrents of racist abuse, and a volley of objects, including cans, coins, and beers. One of those beers, midfielder Declan Rice picked up and drank. This was followed by a succession of simple English goals, including Kane and Harry Maguire headers and a neat long-range strike from Rice.

San Marino vs England 0-10

One oddity about football is that a game with many goals can be just as boring to watch as one with none. The result was an international headline-making one, with many journalists arguing that these obvious mismatches prove the current World Cup Qualifying system is defunct. The San Marino national team, ranked 210/210 by FIFA and representing a population smaller than the hometowns of every England player on the pitch, gave a valiant performance in front of a crowd of 7,000. However, four goals for Kane, alongside strikes from Maguire, Emile Smith-Rowe, Tyrone Mings, Tammy Abraham, and Bukayo Saka, saw England demolish San Marino.

San Marino vs England 0-10

One oddity about football is that a game with many goals can be just as boring to watch as one with none. The result was an international headline-making one, with many journalists arguing that these obvious mismatches prove the current World Cup Qualifying system is defunct. The San Marino national team, ranked 210/210 by FIFA and representing a population smaller than the hometowns of every England player on the pitch, gave a valiant performance in front of a crowd of 7,000. However, four goals for Kane, alongside strikes from Maguire, Emile Smith-Rowe, Tyrone Mings, Tammy Abraham, and Bukayo Saka, saw England demolish San Marino.

Betting Tips for England at the 2022 World Cup

Bet on England to Win the World Cup
England’s odds to win the World Cup are 6/1 with SkyBet, which shows that while this is one of the top teams in the competition, the Three Lions aren’t the favorite to win. Considering England’s quality, past performances, and the weaknesses of other top picks like France and Brazil, these represent good odds for English bettors.

Player Prop Bets are Risky

Player props bets, especially any placed early, are hard to predict because so many things can change before the World Cup. Injuries, form, and tactical decisions can make bettors look very smart or silly. This is especially true with England because, apart from Kane and Rice, every position is up for grabs, and there is an abundance of talent ready to make a mark. It might be wise not to place any player props until the squad has been confirmed, even if the odds are reduced.

Don’t count on Kane for the Golden Boot

Kane is a leading contender for the prize, and the odds are pretty generous, considering his talent as a striker. However, other top contenders, like Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Karim Benzema, are in better form than Kane. In addition, no player in World Cup history has ever retained the Golden Boot.  

England World Cup Betting

With an estimated 42 million Brits watching the Euro 2020 Final and millions betting on England, betting on the 2022 World Cup is expected to be even bigger. You can find markets for every group stage match weeks before the competition, including winners, goalscorers, and more. You can also wager on teams to progress through the competition, which team will win the trophy and individual player rewards. You can check out our top bookmakers today and claim a welcome bonus by clicking the links to use for wagering on the Three Lions.