England vs. Albania: Betting Predictions & Tips – March 21, 2025

England vs. Albania: Betting Preview

Date: March 21, 2025 – 7:45 PM
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

After a busy stretch of international matches, England is kicking off their World Cup qualification campaign at Wembley! With their eyes on securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, the Three Lions are ready to make a splash under new manager Thomas Tuchel. Recent games have boosted team confidence, and with some tactical tweaks already in play, England is pumped to keep the momentum going.

Every match in this qualification cycle is super important for England. With a rich football history and the pressure to reclaim major tournament glory, Tuchel’s challenge is to mix fresh tactics with the squad’s established talent. A strong showing at Wembley is key to solidifying England’s place among Europe’s best and ensuring a smooth path to the 2026 World Cup.

For Albania, this match is a big chance to take on one of the footballing giants. Even though they’re ranked 61 spots lower than England in FIFA’s standings, the Albanians have been showing some promising signs lately. A solid performance could be their ticket to climbing the international ranks and pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the campaign!

England vs. Albania: Head-to-Head Record & Recent Form

England:

Historically, England have enjoyed complete dominance over Albania, winning all six previous encounters—often by comfortable margins. Recent competitive matches have further bolstered the Three Lions’ confidence, as they consistently demonstrate superior quality and tactical discipline winning 6 matches in Nations League.

Albania:

Albania’s recent form has been mixed, having won only one of their last five internationals (record: 1 win, 1 draw, 3 losses). In previous head-to-head clashes with England, they have struggled to find the net—scoring just a single goal in six matches. This historical imbalance presents a daunting challenge for the Albanians at Wembley.

Key Players to Watch in England vs Albania

England:

Bellingham is a real dynamo in midfield, racking up 10 goals in his last 15 appearances for England (5 goals, 5 assists). His energy and creativity will be key to breaking down Albania’s defense and setting the tone early in the game. And let’s not forget about Harry Kane, who might just smash Shilton’s record at the World Cup final or third-place play-off in 2026!

Albania:

Rey Manaj, the Albanian star, is leading the charge with seven international goals so far. He’s ready to break the deadlock and give his team a boost, making him the go-to guy for Albania’s counter-attacks.

England vs. Albania: Tactical Analysis & Expected Lineups

England:

Thomas Tuchel is expected to deploy a disciplined 4-2-3-1 formation that emphasizes midfield control, rapid transitions, and efficient attacking play.

Key Tactical Points:

Midfield Dominance: With Rice and Henderson expected to take charge of the midfield and support Bellingham, England will aim to keep possession and control the game’s tempo.

Wing Play: Wingers like Rashford and Bowen are key for stretching the play and sending in sharp crosses to the forwards.

Clinical Finishing: The forward line, led by Harry Kane, needs to turn those chances into goals with precision. The classic Three Lions formation with Bellingham and Kane works great when the midfield delivers properly.

England Expected Lineup:

GK: Jordan Pickford
RB: Tino Livramento
CB: Marc Guehi
CB: Dan Burn
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly
CM: Jordan Henderson
CM: Declan Rice
RW: Jarrod Bowen
CAM: Jude Bellingham
LW: Marcus Rashford
ST: Harry Kane

Albania:

Albania are likely to set up in a compact 4-3-3 formation, aiming to remain defensively organized and counter quickly when opportunities arise.

Key Tactical Points:

Defensive Solidity: A disciplined backline will be essential to neutralize England’s attacking threats.

Counter-Attack Strategy: Quick transitions, driven by Rey Manaj’s pace, will be key as Albania looks to exploit any over-commitment by England’s forwards.

Set-Piece Opportunities: With open play likely limited, Albania may rely on set-pieces to generate crucial scoring chances.

Expected Albania Lineup:

Thomas Strakosha; Elseid Hysaj, Berat Djimsiti, Enea Mihaj, [Fourth Defender]; Ylber Ramadani, Odise Roshi, Amir Abrashi; Rey Manaj, Sokol Cikalleshi, [Creative Forward].
(Note: The final lineup may vary based on tactical adjustments.)