Roy Hodgson’s men kicked-off their preparation for the Euros with a 2-1 victory over Turkey at the Etihad Stadium last weekend, with the Three Lions again showing that they can be exciting to watch going forward but a little vulnerable at the back. There is clearly work to be done before their opening clash with Russia in two weeks’ time, but England fans will be relatively optimistic about their team’s chances across the Channel this summer.
While Hodgson will probably be prioritising performance over result against Australia, he would nevertheless welcome a convincing and comprehensive victory now that the competition is so close to getting under way. There is often a temptation in these matches to try out different formations and line-ups, but Hodgson will want to give some of his main players as much playing time as possible in order to increase coherence and familiarity within the side.
The fact that the former Blackburn Rovers, Fulham and Liverpool boss made only two substitutions against the Turks rather underlines that point, although Hodgson has already confirmed that Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford and Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster – two players who are highly unlikely to start against Russia – will begin the game.
Unlike previous opponents Turkey, who are also set to take part in Euro 2016, Australia have no imminent tournament commitments on the horizon. The Asian champions’ next competitive fixture does not take place until September, with manager Ange Postecoglou set to use this friendly as an opportunity to blood some of the younger and more unproven players at his disposal.
Given that the game takes place outside of a FIFA window and has nothing riding on it, the Australian party does not contain any Asian-based players, who are still fulfilling their club commitments in the middle of the domestic campaigns back home. Premier League-based stars Mile Jedinak, Adam Fedirici and Brad Smith could all be involved, though, but talismanic veteran Tim Cahill has stayed put at Chinese outfit Hangzhou Greentown.
It is very difficult to see anything other than a comfortable England win at the Stadium Of Light, with Australia having little to play for and unable to call upon some of their key men. Rather than backing a simple home victory – the odds on an unspecified England victory are not very favourable – it is worth trying to predict the correct scoreline, with 3-1 and 4-1 both tempting propositions.
In terms of goalscorers, Rashford could be a good choice given that Hodgson has already confirmed his place in the starting XI, although opting for a player such as Ross Barkley, Adam Lallana or Andros Townsend would make for a potentially lucrative outside wager. Australia may struggle at times on Friday, but England’s defensive woes means it could also be worth putting some money on both teams to find the back of the net.
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