England

England have made nine appearances at the European Championships and have managed two semi-final appearances in that time, most famously as hosts in 1996 when they were taken to penalties by Germany – Gazza couldn’t quite get on the end of THAT extra-time cross and Southgate missed THAT penalty. This is one of the most exciting England squads for years with the emergence of players such as Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Jamie Vardy since the poor performance at the 2014 World Cup which saw them crash out at the Group stages.

 

Russia

Russia have been in 11 previous European Championships and won the tournament as the Soviet Union in 1960 – hosted in France. Russia finished second in their Euro 2016 qualifying group, largely thanks to a chance of management half way through the campaign. The Russians will fancy their chances of upsetting the odds against England, they are a vastly experienced team but the loss of Alan Dzagoev to injury in a massive blow to their attacking options. Artem Dzyuba will be the attacking focus for Russia, something England’s shaky defence will need to focus on.

 

England Star Players:

 

Harry Kane

Age: 22

International Appearances: 11

International Goals: 5

Harry Kane goes into Euro 2016 as the Premier League’s top goalscorer with 25. His natural goalscoring ability is something that England have lacked in previous tournaments and an out and out centre forward is exactly what England need. Kane is the perfect decoy to his Spurs team-mate Dele Alli and he has also struck up strong partnerships with both Wayne Rooney and Jamie Vardy.

 

Kane is only 22 but he has now scored 59 goals in his last two seasons for Tottenham and already has five England goals to his name in just 11 appearances. If England are to go deep into Euro 2016 then Harry Kane will be needed to keep up this goalscoring form.

 

Chris Smalling

Age: 26

International Appearances: 23

International Goals: 0

On paper, England’s main weakness is there defence and so Chris Smalling will be the key man at the back. He had a solid season for Manchester United and is finally looking like the defender Sir Alex Ferguson saw when he signed Smalling from Fulham. He looks the guaranteed starter of the two centre halves with Gary Cahill or John Stones set to take their place alongside Smalling in the England starting line-up against Russia on June 11^th.

 

Smalling will need to stay disciplined, especially if England play a diamond in midfield but his is very good positionally and that will be needed if the full backs are allowed to bomb forward and provide England width. Against the likes of Russian striker Dzyuba, Smalling will need to be at his absolute best.

 

Russia Star Players:

 

Artem Dzyuba

Age: 27

International Appearances: 16

International Goals: 8

Dzyuba is the star striker for Russia, the 6ft 5in Zenit front-man is a classic centre forward and in the form of his life. He was Russia’s top goalscorer in Euro 2016 qualifying with eight goals and is a massive threat to England’s defence in their Euro 2106 opening fixture. The main supply line to Dzyuba has been cut off with the injury to Alan Dzagoev but Kokorin is a great support to Dzyuba up front.

 

Sergei Ignashevich

Age: 36

International Appearances: 115

International Goals: 8

Sergei Ignashevich is Russia’s most capped player and the rock in the Russian defence. This is likely to be his last major tournament but he is still one of the first names on the team-sheet. His lack of pace will be a worry for Russia against the Three Lions but his anticipation and experience should be invaluable against the speed of the English front-line. This will be the CSKA Moscow man’s third consecutive European Championships appearance. He picked up a third placed finish at Euro 2008.

 

Next Euro 2016 Fixtures:

England

Wales: 16^th June 3pm, Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens.

Slovakia: 20^th June 9pm, Stade Geoffroy, Guichard, Saint-Etienne.

Russia

Slovakia: 16^th June 3pm, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille.

Wales: 20^th June 9pm, Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse.

 

Get 6/1 for England to beat Russia when you open a new Paddy Power account.

 

England vs Russia Betting Tips and Predictions

 

England v Russia predictions and betting tips for Saturday’s Euro 2016 opening Group B match in Marseille with three bets advised from our tipster.

 

It’s finally arrived, England open up their Euro 2016 campaign against Russia and from a betting perspective at least, England are favourites to pick up the three points. England warmed up for this match with three war-up matches and they won all three, the performances were not all that convincing but there were three wins none the less. Russia haven’t had such a good preparation winning just one of their last five matches (3-0 against Lithuania). That run has seen them lose 3-1 against Croatia, 4-2 against France and 2-1 against Czech Republic, last time out they managed a 1-1 draw with danger-man Dzyuba getting the Russia goal.

 

Will England beat Russia?

For my first England vs Russia betting tip I am simply predicting an England win, the betting odds have England at 19/20 to win and that is a bet too good to turn down for me. Russia have an ageing squad and their recent performances have not installed much faith that they can get anything from this match. I wouldn’t be surprised if Russia get on the scoresheet but I’m confident England will start Euro 2016 Group A with three points on Saturday night.

England to win – best odds 19/20 with bet365 – BET HERE.

 

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What Score will England v Russia be?

As mentioned, I do expect Russia to score against England in Marseille, England never do things easily and it could be a tight match to kick-off the Euro 2016 campaigns. That leads us onto a correct score prediction and I think a 2-1 England win looks a sensible bet for my second England v Russia betting tip this weekend. England are blessed with a fantastic attacking line and their pace should be too much for the Russian backline, plus Russia are without their holding midfielder so the England midfield should pick holes in a makeshift central area for the Russians. Dzyuba is certainly the man to watch for the England defence and their frailities mean he could be the man to get a consolation goal for Russia. My second England vs Russia prediction is for England to win 2-1, the best odds are 9/1 at bet365.

England to win 2-1 – best odds 9/1 with bet365 – BET HERE.

 

Who will score for England vs Russia?

Finally, I want to look at the goalscorer markets for England vs Russia and pick an anytime goalscorer tip. We’re still not certain who will be in the England starting line-up but Wayne Rooney is almost certain to start and I think he is the man to be on. Some England fans want Rooney out of the team but he has found a new roll in a deeper position and can certainly influence the match from there, as shown for Manchester United towards the end of the season. Rooney is also the England penalty taker and I wouldn’t be surprised if his goal came from the spot in Marseille. My final football betting tip for England vs Russia is Wayne Rooney to score anytime in the match. Rooney is 2/1 to score anytime at Ladbrokes but as short as Evens and 5/4 with other bookies so make sure you use Ladbrokes via the link below to get the best value for the final bet of this betting preview.

Rooney to score anytime – 2/1 with Ladbrokes – BET HERE.

 

England vs Russia Betting Tips

England to win – best odds 19/20 with bet365 – BET HERE.

England to win 2-1 – best odds 9/1 with bet365 – BET HERE.

Rooney to score anytime – 2/1 with Ladbrokes – BET HERE.

 

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