England travel to Amsterdam on Friday night to take on the Netherlands and Tom Carnduff is expecting the game to end in a draw.
England travel to Amsterdam on Friday night as they take on the Netherlands in an international friendly.
The World Cup in Russia will have an unusual feeling as the Dutch will be absent, after missing out on qualification for the first time since 2002.
Gareth Southgate's England side are seeing the games tick away as the tournament draws closer and will be using this game as vital preparation.
The Three Lions boss has given three players call-ups to the senior squad for their two friendlies. Burnley’s Nick Pope and James Tarkowski are included, having impressed as the Clarets have established themselves in the top half of the Premier League table with one of the country’s best defensive records.
Swansea City’s Alfie Mawson also makes the squad. He made six appearances for England U21s in the 2016/17 season ending with an impressive Euro campaign last summer.
Uncapped AFC Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook, who was drafted into the squad ahead of November’s game against Brazil after featuring for the U21s this term, keeps his place.
It was two dull 0-0 draws against Brazil and Germany in England's last round of games, with fixtures against the Netherlands and Italy expected to be used to give Southgate the opportunity to see more potential World Cup inclusions.
Former Everton boss Ronald Koeman is in charge of the Netherlands. He has shaken up the squad given their failure to qualify.
18-year-old Ajax winger Justin Kluivert, the son of former Netherlands striker Patrick Kluivert, is included in the team. Four other players in goalkeeper Marco Bizot, midfielder Guus Til, striker Wout Weghorst and Hans Hateboer could also be set for their debuts.
It's difficult to predict what sides will be lining up on Friday night, with a number of positions up for debate within the England side.
A goalkeeping dilemma sees any of three goalkeepers potentially involved, although Jordan Pickford is set to start.
With Harry Kane out injured, the striking trio of Jamie Vardy, Danny Welbeck and Marcus Rashford will be battling it out for places in the XI.
The Netherlands can be found at 13/8 to secure victory, with England priced at 21/20 and the draw available at 23/10.
Due to the uncertainty surrounding selection, I'd avoid backing individual player markets as they may find themselves playing limited time or not featuring at all.
That's why I'd be looking at the draw here. Four of the last six between these two have ended in draws and I'm imagining the same result on Friday.
There is potential for goals on both sides. Koeman's men will be eager to bounce back after qualification disappointment and will see England as a good scalp to claim with their rebuild firmly underway.
For England, the likes of Welbeck and Vardy will be looking to fire as they keep the pressure on Kane for when he's back fit.
Sterling has been in fine form for Manchester City and will find himself full of confidence if he starts, while Rashford scored twice on his last start for his club.
Score prediction: Netherlands 1-1 England (Sky Bet odds: 5/1)
Best bet: Draw at 23/10
Alternative bet: Both Teams to Score at 10/11
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Posted at 0930 GMT on 23/03/18
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