The top two teams in Group A will battle it out on Friday night in Prague in their quest for Euro 2020 qualification. The hosts are three points behind England on nine points while Gareth Southgate’s England have a game in hand over the Czechs and are on 12 points currently. In the reverse fixture at Wembley the Czechs were humiliated 5-0 by the home side, can they restore some pride in Prague?

Czech Republic vs England Betting Tips and Predictions: Czech Republic

The Czechs took a real hammering against England at Wembley in March, indeed it was their worst ever defeat in international football, even under larger borders as Czechoslovakia and previously as Bohemia before that they’d never lost by such a margin. It was a sobering defeat for a team that was once ranked second in the world. But that was when they had players like Pavel Nedved, Karel Poborsky, Thomas Rosicky and Patrik Berger in the team.

Since then football has fallen down the ranks behind ice-hockey and volleyball in Czechia and now the only standout player on the team is 23 year old Patrik Schick who has nine goals in 20 appearances for the national side. However, he’s had a chequered career so far, after spells with Sampdoria and Roma in the Serie A, where he only scored 16 goals in 78 appearances. He now plays for RB Leipzig, but has only played 27 minutes since being transferred to the Bundesliga side.

The current squad is made up of pretty inexperienced players, only four players of the 22 have more than 25 caps. Following the England defeat, the Czech’s beat Bulgaria and Montenegro (twice) but lost to Kosovo away from home. They’re not a bad team but really against England they’re going to have their work cut out for them.

Czech Republic vs England Betting Tips and Predictions: England

England come into this match with an unblemished record having won all of their qualification matches so far, scoring 19 goals in their four matches and conceding just four, three of them coming in their most previous match at home to Kosovo. Both Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling have been in outstanding form, scoring six goals apiece in the qualification campaign so far. You’d fancy both of them to get on the scoresheet again in Prague on Friday night.

There’s so much to be confident about this English side, they’ve not lost any of their last 10 matches, over 90 minutes anyway. And yes, you can complain that they stuffed up the World Cup and it was certainly their best chance of winning it in a long time, but really, there’s no shame in going out to Croatia after extra time.

We’re still not quite sure how Southgate does it, a failed league manager with Middlesbrough where he only won 45/151 matches with Boro, he somehow landed a gig with the Under 21s and won 27/33 matches and has carried on that fine form with the senior team, winning 21/37 matches. Maybe it’s a light touch where he wants the players to express themselves on the field and restore some pride in the shirt with this young, multicultural side that reflects modern day England. Maybe he has a team of fine players who don’t carry the baggage of club rivalries, or maybe he’s a good manager, or it’s all three.

In team news Fabian Delph has pulled out of the squad, but really, he won’t be missed because we all know he’s not very good. James Maddison could make his first appearance for England here but we know that Southgate doesn’t like to tinker too much with his sides and especially since they’re playing so well and winning, why would he?

Czech Republic vs England Betting Tips and Predictions: Stats

Of the Czech’s five most previous matches, they’ve won three and lost two. Over 2.5 goals has occurred in 5/5, with BTTS landing in 3/5.

Of England’s five most recent matches, they’ve won four and drawn one (losing it in extra time). Over 2.5 goals has occurred in 3/5, while BTTS has landed in 3/5 matches as well.

Czech Republic vs England Betting Tips and Predictions: Prediction and Tips

The Asian Handicap line opened at 1.25 and hasn’t moved much, the home side are favourites here at 1.87, England -1.25 are currently at 2.05. The goal line opened at 2.5 and there’s been a bit of movement. Over 2.5 opened at 1.94, it’s now at 1.81.

It’s very hard to see anything beyond and England win here, 0-2, 0-3, maybe the Czechs could get a goal and ruffle some feathers, but we like the look of England -1.25 at 2.05. Harry Kane is 1.91 to Score Anytime, Raheem Sterling is as high as 2.55, both look like decent picks too.