England will be looking to top the group when they take on Czech Republic on Tuesday and Tom Carnduff has picked out his best bets.
Euro 2020 betting tips: Czech Republic v England
1pt Vladimir Darida to be shown a card at 9/2 (Sky Bet)
1pt Tomas Soucek to be shown a card at 5/1 (bet365)
1pt Mason Mount to have 3+ tackles at 7/2 (Sky Bet)
1pt Mason Mount to have 4+ tackles at 8/1 (Sky Bet)
PLEASE NOTE: This preview was published prior to the news of Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell's period of self-isolation and the uncertainty surrounding their involvement against the Czech Republic. Following this news, the preview has been updated due to it being centred on Mount but original text can be found at the bottom of the article in case they are allowed to play.
The disappointment of England's 0-0 draw with Scotland on Friday night will be easily forgotten if they can secure a positive result against Czech Republic in their third and final group stage match. The winner of this will top the group.
There's talk of England getting an 'easier' tie by finishing second but it's just not the case when you look at the potential route to the final. The fact that France are likely to win Group F highlights the importance of a positive result so that they can avoid the current world champions - both England and France winning their groups places them on opposite sides of the bracket.
Seven points can be viewed as a very positive return and the Three Lions should bounce back with victory here. It won't be the convincing scoreline that the odds are suggesting but there is enough talent in this England squad to navigate them to the top of the Group D standings.
Kick-off time: 20:00 BST, Tuesday
TV channel: ITV
Venue: Wembley Stadium - London, England
Czech Republic 13/2 | Draw 11/4 | England 1/2
Czech Republic's tournament so far has been a good one and their four points gives them a good chance of progression to the knockout stages. A positive goal difference could be key in this regard - although anything less than a significant three-goal swing in Croatia's favour should see Jaroslav Šilhavý's progress as part of the top-two.
England's preparation for this game was disrupted by the news that Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount have entered a precautionary period of self-isolation after coming into close contact with Scotland's Billy Gilmour - who tested positive in the days after the Wembley draw.
As mentioned at the top, the original preview was focused on Mount and backing the fantastic value available on him in the statistics market. At the time of writing, there is still uncertainty surrounding whether or not the duo will be involved so I have left the original copy and tips in so that they can be backed if he is in the starting XI.
However, putting together Sporting Life's Super 6 Extra tips article with 14/1 RequestABet means that a number of angles have also been explored and there are some other intriguing bets out there. Cards have become less of an issue in terms of betting as the tournament has progressed and this is where two best bets can be found here.
At a best price of 9/2, it's worth backing VLADIMIR DARIDA to be shown a card in this contest. The midfield battle could be key - as it was in England's last game - and that could mean the Czech Republic captain is drawn into committing fouls.
The Hertha Berlin man is a regular when it comes to the fouls count. His season fouls average across all competitions was 1.1 per game with a two fouls per game average across two outings in World Cup qualifying and 1.6 across five Nations League games.
Due to those numbers, Darida ended the season with five cards in 27 Bundesliga games and the appointment of the strict Artur Soares Dias as the referee should bring a few cards with it. His one tournament appearance so far saw four yellows dished out in Wales' 2-0 win over Turkey - although they did all come in a frantic final few minutes.
It's a surprise that TOMAS SOUCEK hasn't been carded in this tournament so far given what we've seen from him. He averages a card every 3.7 games for his country but a best price of 5/1 is available on him here in a crucial contest at Wembley.
He saw three fouls in the opening contest against Scotland but managed to escape punishment. The midfielder averaged 1.7 fouls per game across three in World Cup qualifying alongside one per Nations League outing - it led to him being booked in their draw with Belgium back in March.
Due to the prices on offer, taking both players as singles in the card market looks great value but you can get 28/1 on the double which may be worth a small play if you're searching for the bigger prices. Both players have racked up the fouls average and - with a referee like Dias - that should mean cards.
I'm hoping for Mount's involvement because the value in the tackles market is excellent given his showings. However, Dias' appointment as referee gives hope to cards and there are some big prices available when targeting the Czech midfield.
The advice would be that the Mount prices are still well worth taking if he is in that starting XI just shy of 19:00 on Tuesday. By all accounts, England want him to be involved but they are just waiting to see about the necessary protocols.
The Three Lions should have enough to secure the three points and top spot in the group though, in a game where DARIDA and SOUCEK catch the referee's attention.
Czech Republic v England best bets and score prediction
- 1pt Vladimir Darida to be shown a card at 9/2 (Sky Bet)
- 1pt Tomas Soucek to be shown a card at 5/1 (bet365)
- 1pt Mason Mount to have 3+ tackles at 7/2 (Sky Bet)
- 1pt Mason Mount to have 4+ tackles at 8/1 (Sky Bet)
Score prediction: Czech Republic 0-1 England (Sky Bet odds: 9/2)
Odds correct at 0930 BST (22/06/21)
NOTE: Below is the original copy regarding the Mount selection and should only be considered if he is involved for England on Tuesday night.
The debate surrounding England's team selection will rage on as it always does at major tournaments but one player who should keep his place after a good tournament so far is Mason Mount. The Chelsea midfielder remains among the favourites to be the Best Young Player of the Tournament.
He should have had a goal or an assist on his tally considering that his expected goals (xG) figure stands at 0.69 while his expected assists (xA) number is an impressive 1.04 after two games. Better finishing from John Stones would have seen him gain a helper in that game with Scotland.
I'm drawn towards the 4/1 available with Betfair on him having an assist in this game, and that's certainly a bet to remember if England can find the net, but there is another stats-market where the value just appears to be too generous based on showings so far.
The first bet is taking the 7/2 on offer with Sky Bet for MOUNT TO HAVE 3+ TACKLES in this game. It's a big price on a line that he has hit multiple times this season - Mount had three or more tackles in 13 separate Premier League games while he has done it more than once for England.
The midfielder hit a huge tally of six in the draw with Scotland while his tournament also began with two in the victory over Croatia. He had three tackles when England beat Albania in World Cup qualifying while hit two in just 30 minutes after coming off the bench against Denmark in the Nations League back in September.
Mount saw two or more tackles in six separate Champions League games during the 2020/21 campaign - more than half of his games in that competition - while his overall average across every competition was 1.9.
Targeting three at that price is not unreasonable in what is a must-win game for England given the context of the campaign so far. It's also a price that doesn't play to the averages of the rest of the Three Lions' squad.
Looking at 3+ tackles, Kyle Walker is 11/4 despite an average of 1.3, Jude Bellingham is 6/4 from an average of 1.8 and Jordan Henderson is 9/4 despite his average sitting at a low 0.8. When we compare it to those players, the 7/2 for Mount looks even more appealing.
Due to the value on offer, we're also taking the 8/1 on MOUNT TO HAVE 4+ TACKLES with the same bookmaker. He's hit this total on eight separate occasions this season with one of those being his last game.
That is more of an ask and it does depend on the nature of the game but it shouldn't be close to 8/1 when we factor in performances in this area. There is also the slight possibility of Mount dropping deeper in the midfield if we factor in all of the options available to Southgate for the final group stage match.
More from Sporting Life
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.