England have dominated Group E to the extent that they currently have a perfect return of 18 point from six games in their Euro 2016 qualifiers. They have scored 18 total and goals and have only conceded three, which has helped to propel them six points ahead of Switzerland in second.
At the bottom end of the scale, San Marino have claimed only one point and are last in the group. They have conceded 19 goals in all of their games, so it is clear that they are due for a beating from a superior English team. San Marino lost 5-0 when the two sides met last October.
Expectations
England battles for an uncomfortable 3-2 away victory against Slovenia in June. In this game, head coach Roy Hodgson will want to get his team back on track with a more comfortable score-line ahead of playing Switzerland on 8 September.
Hodgson has many of his most talented players to choose from, including captain Wayne Rooney, Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, and Theo Walcott. Each of those players will feature to at least some extent, but Hodgson could also experiment with the likes of Ross Barkley and Jamie Vardy.
Honestly, there should be no concern over whether or not England will win this game. A second-string line-up would even be expected to deliver a comfortable win, but Hodgson will use his better players to ensure that they are developing a rapport ahead of playing in Euro 2016 next summer.
Back in Brazil, England did not have a clear first XI on the eve of the tournament. Hodgson appears to understand that this has to change for England’s next tournament. Midfielders like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabian Delph have to prove that they can be depended on to deliver professional performances. They need to deliver on Saturday before Switzerland.
Match Tips
Tip one: Over 4.5 goals @ 1.44
Tip two: Wayne Rooney to score first @ 3.20
There is not much value to be had in this game, but a good prospect appears to be Wayne Rooney scoring first at 3.20.