Kick-off: 1945, 13/10/2023
Stadium: Wembley
TV: Channel 4
England against Australia is a storied sporting rivalry and the latest instalment will take place at Wembley on Friday as Gareth Southgate’s side host the Socceroos.
Australia are looking to build on a successful 2022 World Cup, where they reached the knockout stage and pushed eventual champions Argentina all the way in the last 16.
But England, who take on Italy next week as they move towards Euro 2024 qualification, will want to put on a show and a home win with over 3.5 goals at 12/5 is the first of our England vs Australia predictions.
England march on
Southgate’s side faced plenty of questions after an underwhelming World Cup culminated in a quarter-final exit to France.
But the Three Lions have got back into their stride with an impressive Euro 2024 qualifying campaign to date, sitting top of Group C and six points clear of second-placed Italy.
March’s 2-1 win in Naples was the highlight, along with a 7-0 thumping of North Macedonia and an impressive 3-1 friendly win over the ‘Auld Enemy’ Scotland at Hampden last month.
The return clash against Italy on Tuesday will be the focus in this international break, which may give some of England’s fringe stars the chance to shine against Australia.
In-form Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen earned a recall to the squad and can shine in place of injured Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka.
We fancy Watkins to be given time on the pitch and the 27-year-old is 5/6 to score any time against Australia.
Jude Bellingham arrives to join the England camp as arguably the most in-form player in the world after a stunning start to his Real Madrid career.
The 20-year-old midfielder has scored 10 goals in 11 appearances for Los Blancos – only failing to find the net in two matches.
Looking at the England vs Australia odds, he is an interesting option at 17/2 to open the scoring.
Australia fired up for historic clash
Friday’s match will be the first time the Socceroos have played at Wembley.
Graham Arnold’s side are building towards a successful Asia Cup campaign before turning their attention to sealing a return to the World Cup in 2026.
Their form post-Qatar has been solid, with a win and a defeat in two clashes with Ecuador alongside a 2-0 defeat to Argentina and a 2-2 draw with Mexico.
Jackson Irvine, who found the net in that win over Ecuador, is fit to face England after returning from injury for St Pauli at the weekend.
Ipswich midfielder Massimo Luongo is back in the squad for the first time since 2019 after an impressive start to the season with the Tractor Boys.
We think Australia can find the net and both teams to score in an England win is our final pick at 2/1.
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