Date: Sunday, 16 November
Venue: Air Albania Stadium
Kick-off: 5:00pm GMT
Qualification looks all but wrapped up for England, yet the visitors will want to close out the campaign with momentum. Albania’s compact 4-3-3 has been effective, but England’s squad depth — and set-piece threat — gives them multiple paths to victory.
Quick H2H & Form
- England have six straight qualifier wins this cycle, none conceded.
- Albania’s surge has put them in the frame for a play-off; home crowd will be lively.
- Reverse fixture in March: England 2–0 Albania.
Tactical Notes
England’s double pivot (Rice + Anderson) should smother central counters and feed the Foden/Bellingham lanes behind Kane. Albania will target wide counters, but England’s rest defence has been excellent of late. If the breakthrough takes time, the bench (pace and set-pieces) swings it.
Projected Line-Ups:
Albania: Strakosha; Hysaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Laci, Asllani, Shehu; Broja, Uzuni, Manaj.
England: Pickford; James, Stones, Konsa, Spence; Rice, Anderson; Foden, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane.
Betting Tips
Guide prices only; subject to change with your chosen bookmaker.
- England -1 (Handicap) – around 1.95
Five of England’s six qualifiers were won by 2+ goals — the handicap appeals. - Half-Time/Full-Time: Draw / England – around 3.60
Albania can be stubborn for 45 minutes; England’s quality usually tells late. - Albania Under 0.5 Goals – around 2.05
Leans into England’s clean-sheet streak and superior set-piece/territory control.
Value Bet: Jude Bellingham To Score or Assist – around 2.40
Given licence to break the line; live for late runners and cut-backs.
Correct Score Idea: Albania 0–1 England (guide 6.00) — alternative to the more popular 0–2.
Prediction: England by a single goal if it’s cagey, two if they strike before the hour.
Best Bet: England -1 handicap.
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