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England vs Spain preview & betting odds – Welbeck hoping to impress

By on September 7, 2018

danny welbeck arsenal

The international break is in full swing and England should receive a warm welcome from the Wembley crowd when they take on Spain in Saturday’s Nations League opener.

Gareth Southgate’s side surprised us all by reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup – which was their best result at a major tournament since Euro ’96 – and the Three Lions certainly brought the country together for a few weeks this summer.

Spain on the other hand endured a disappointing time at the World Cup after crashing out to hosts Russia at the last 16 stage and they’ll be entering a new era under former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique.

Team news

Danny Welbeck is Arsenal’s only representative in the England squad but the forward will be hoping to get some game-time after barely making an appearance for his country at the World Cup. Welbeck has struggled for starts for Arsenal too this season so he’ll be hoping a positive display for England will put him in Unai Emery’s thoughts.

Southgate’s options in attack were diminished after Raheem Sterling withdrew from the squad with a back injury while Adam Lallana has also returned to Liverpool for further assessment after picking up a groin problem earlier this week.

Luke Shaw is back in the England squad after impressing for Manchester United this season so he’ll be hoping to start at left-back while Burnley defender James Tarkowski is also back in the fold.

Arsenal’s Nacho Monreal was named in the Spanish World Cup squad this summer but he’s been left out by Enrique for this game despite showing some solid form during the early stages of the new campaign.

Hector Bellerin has also been left out by Enrique so there are no Arsenal representatives in the Spanish squad with Dani Carvajal, Cesar Azpilicueta, Diego Llorente, Jose Gaya and Marcos Alonso the preferred full-back options.

Betting odds

The bookmakers are expecting a close game as according to BetNow Sportsbook the Three Lions are on offer at 15/8 while Spain are the very slight 8/5 favourites to win the game. England will be in confident mood following their display at the World Cup and have the home advantage so I’d be tempted with odds of 15/2 on a 2-1 England win. For those who fancy Enrique to start his career with a victory at Wembley, you can get 1-0 Spain at odds of 5/1 or a 2-1 win at 15/2.

Any Arsenal fans looking to back Welbeck can get odds of 4/1 for him to score in the game. I think he’ll start on the bench and perhaps come on in the second half so 9/1 on Welbeck to be the last goal-scorer in the match looks tempting.

However, my advised bet of the day would be to back Harry Kane to score first in an England win which can be backed at odds of 5/1 with many bookmakers.