Some teams have the Nations League to fall back on if they do not qualify automatically through 2020 European Championship qualification. One of those teams is England but they will be hoping they can get the job done in the group and will leave the Nations League to someone else.
On the 7th of September England host Bulgaria at Wembley Stadium, London. With Czech Republic, Kosovo and Montenegro making up the group, it would be a huge shock if England did not top Group A as they could not have asked for a better draw.
England come into the match having last played in the Nations League during the summer. England lost in the semi-final, going down 3-1 to Holland in extra-time and that saw them meet Switzerland in the third and fourth playoff. England could not break down the Swiss defence and the match ended 0-0 and went to penalties. England came out on top in the shootout to finish third.
Intensity from the off. The #ThreeLions are getting set for Bulgaria and Kosovo 💪 pic.twitter.com/5ECHxGngbn— England (@England) September 3, 2019
Intensity from the off. The #ThreeLions are getting set for Bulgaria and Kosovo 💪 pic.twitter.com/5ECHxGngbn
Due to their participation in the Nations League, England have only played two matches in Euro 2020 qualifying. They started with an easy 5-0 win over Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium. Having made the breakthrough in the 24th minute, there was no doubt who was going to win.
Their second game was away to Montenegro and England went 1-0 down after 18 minutes. A stirring comeback saw England go on to score 5 goals for the second successive game and move to the top of the group.
Bulgaria start this match sitting bottom of Group A. They have just 2 points to show from their four games while in contrast, England have 6 points from just two matches played.
The Bulgarian’s started with a 1-1 draw at home to Montenegro, needing a late goal to get a point. They then travelled to Kosovo and despite taking the lead were forced to settle for a point after conceding an equaliser in the second half. They then took an early lead in Czech Republic but could not hold on and lost the game 2-1 before suffering a very disappointing 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Kosovo.
Trends show Bulgaria have failed to win any of their last seven games. They have lost three and drawn four. Bulgaria have won one of their last ten away games.
Team news and England are expected to start with Harry Kane in attack supported by Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho.
Bulgaria will play with just one man up-front and captain Ivelin Popov is expected to lead the line. Bulgaria will pack the midfield in the hope they can frustrate the England players and crowd.
It is impossible to see anything other than an England win from this game. The hosts have much the better team and are in better form. A comprehensive home win and a clean sheet is the most likely outcome.