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Date: March 24, 2025
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, Group K
England is set to host Latvia in a crucial World Cup qualifying match at Wembley Stadium. After a commanding 2-0 victory over Albania on Friday – a game that saw 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly become the youngest-ever player to score on his England debut – Thomas Tuchel’s side return to the national stadium. This encounter against Latvia, currently on three points, marks the first-ever meeting between the two nations, with the teams sitting an incredible 136 places apart in FIFA’s rankings.
For England, securing a win is essential to maintain momentum in their qualifying campaign. They haven’t lost a home WCQ game since October 2000, with 12 of the last 15 wins coming with an accompanying clean sheet. History is on Tuchel’s side—two of the last three England managers who oversaw at least five games won their opening two matches with a clean sheet. In contrast, Latvia, despite impressively opening their campaign with a 1-0 win over Andorra, face a monumental challenge. They have never beaten a team currently ranked in FIFA’s top ten and must rise to the occasion if they are to get closer to a first-ever World Cup finals appearance.
There are positives for Latvia as well. They have won their last two WCQ games—both away against sides ranked #171st and #196th respectively—and are unbeaten in their last five away fixtures, marking their longest such run since becoming an independent nation. Still, the task against an England side with such an impressive home record remains steep.
The Three Lions have showcased strong form in recent matches. Their latest performance – a 2-0 victory over Albania – highlighted their potent attack and organised defence. Over their last five matches, England has secured four wins and suffered only one loss, reinforcing their status as clear favourites in this fixture.
Latvia has experienced inconsistency in their recent outings, managing just one win, one draw, and three losses in their last five encounters. Their challenges in scoring and defending add to the uphill task they face against a dominant England side.
The Thomas Tuchel era got off to a flying start with the 2-0 win over Albania, highlighted by 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly’s record-breaking debut goal.
This fixture is historic as it is the first-ever meeting between England and Latvia—a stark contrast underscored by their 136-place difference in FIFA’s rankings.
England has not lost a home WCQ game since October 2000, with 12 of the last 15 wins accompanied by a clean sheet. This impressive record puts extra pressure on Latvia, who must overcome an enduring home advantage.
Latvia’s recent win over Andorra gives them a boost, but they have never beaten a team ranked in the top ten. Victory here would be a massive upset and a significant step toward their first-ever World Cup finals appearance.
England’s Morgan Rogers: Could feature from the start, and his last six scoring appearances at club level have come after half-time.
Latvia’s Dario Šits: Netted the winner against Andorra and has scored in two of their last three away games.
Hot Stat:
England have scored in the opening 20 minutes in four of their last five WCQ games—a trend that might set the tone early in this match.
Harry Kane: The prolific striker remains the primary goal threat, edging closer to breaking national scoring records.
Myles Lewis-Skelly: His historic debut goal against Albania has injected youthful promise into the squad.
Marcus Rashford: Recently recalled to the national team, his performance will be crucial for England’s attacking options.
Roberts Uldriķis: His physical presence and aerial ability are vital for Latvia’s attacking plays.
Igors Tarasovs: The experienced defender will be pivotal in organising Latvia’s backline against England’s dynamic attack.
Under Thomas Tuchel, England has adopted a structured approach that blends possession-based play with high pressing. Their preferred 4-3-3 formation offers attacking flexibility while maintaining defensive solidity.
Midfield Dominance: With the likes of Jude Bellingham and Jordan Henderson, England aims to control the game’s tempo.
Wing Play: Wingers such as Rashford and Phil Foden are expected to stretch Latvia’s defence and create openings.
Defensive Solidity: The strong home record means England will be focused on maintaining a clean sheet throughout the match.
Pickford; James, Stones, Burn, Lewis-Skelly; Bellingham, Henderson, Foden; Sterling, Kane, Rashford.
Latvia is likely to opt for a 4-4-2 formation, relying on compact defensive organisation and quick counter-attacks.
Compact Defence: A disciplined setup will be crucial to frustrate England’s attacking rhythm.
Counter-Attacking Play: Latvia will look to capitalise on any defensive lapses with swift transitions.
Set-Piece Efficiency: Given England’s aerial strength, Latvia must be sharp during set pieces to avoid conceding.
Šteinbors; Dubra, Jagodinskis, Tarasovs, Jurkovskis; Cigaņiks, Emsis, Tobers, Jaunzems; Uldriķis, Gutkovskis.
Experts anticipate a dominant performance from England, predicting a 3-0 victory for the Three Lions.
Value bets include:
-Harry Kane to Score Anytime: Offering attractive odds of 5/2.
-Correct Score 3-0: Priced around 15/4, this bet promises a strong return for punters.
Given England’s attacking prowess and Latvia’s defensive frailties, the over 2.5 goals market—currently at 4/7—appears enticing. England’s habit of scoring early, with goals in the opening 20 minutes in four of their last five WCQ games, supports this view.
Considering Latvia’s struggle to breach top-tier defences and England’s strong home record of keeping clean sheets, betting against both teams scoring (BTTS – No) is recommended. Current odds in this market are around 93/50.
Handicap Bet: England at -2 is appealing at odds of 3/4, reflecting their expected dominance.
Special Bets:
Bet on England to register over 2.5 total shots on target, capitalising on their relentless attacking play.
Consider the first goal scorer market—Harry Kane or Marcus Rashford could be excellent picks given their current form.
Velobet: Features an enhanced welcome bonus along with competitive odds for an England win at 1/10.
Cosmobet: Offers a cashback promo and attractive combined bets such as England win plus BTTS (No) at 93/50.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7:45 PM UK time at Wembley Stadium. The match will be live on BBC Sport, with streaming available via BBC iPlayer for subscribers. Alternatively, you can catch the game on major sports networks like Sky Sports and BT Sport if you have a subscription.
Want to watch at a local venue? Use the Pub Finder tool to locate nearby spots screening the match.
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