England v USA betting tips: Can Three Lions give Rooney a farewell win?
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Preview and odds for friendly meeting
Ahead of the final Nations League clash with Croatia on Sunday, England have one last chance to fine-tune things in tonight’s friendly against USA.
It’s no ordinary friendly, however. England’s record goalscorer and long-time talisman Wayne Rooney will be turning out in a Three Lions shirt for the 120th and final time.
It’s all live on Sky 1 and Sky Sports tonight, kicking off at 8:00pm.
Head-to-head
This will be the 11th meeting between the teams. England have won seven times, with USA’s two successes coming in that famous 1950 World Cup victory and a 1993 friendly.
Gareth Southgate’s men are on a high after their superb win in Spain last month. The Americans, managed by interim coach Dave Sarachan have won one of their last six.
Likely XIs
There’s been plenty of debate over the Rooney situation, but this remains an important match for Southgate who is set to try out a number of squad players ahead of Sunday’s game with Croatia.
Rooney will come on later in the game, with Fabian Delph starting as skipper.
Jadon Sancho is set for his first international start after a sensational few months in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund.
Giving Delph the captaincy suggests Harry Kane will be rested. That could see England go with Marcus Rashford through the middle, or a starting debut for Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson.
One of Ben Chilwell or Luke Shaw will start at left-back, with Trent Alexander-Arnold poised to start at right-back.
USA are a team in transition as they seek a permanent coach, but Sarachan has talented youngsters to call upon in Christian Pulisic and Timothy Weah.
Key battles
Southgate and England played the counter-attack to perfection in Spain last month, but that won’t work here.
The hosts will likely dominate possession, and if Kane is rested, the pace, movement and energy of Rashford and/or Wilson will be key.
England will again look to use the wing-backs to full effect, as they have done so well during Southgate’s tenure.
Match odds
Buoyed by that win over Spain, England are 3/10 favourites for victory tonight.
There’s 17/2 about a first ever American win at Wembley, with 18/5 for the draw.
In the goalscorer market, all eyes will be on Rooney. The former skipper is 4/1 to score first, 13/10 anytime and 4/1 to score the final goal of the game in his last appearance.
Kane heads the betting, though. The Tottenham Hotspur ace is 11/5 to score first and 4/6 anytime. There’s Evens about Wilson netting anytime on his England bow.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
