England ready to dominate

ENGLAND really could not have asked for a kinder draw and there is no reason why they shouldn’t cruise into the last 16 with a maximumpoints haul under their belts.

The Three Lions’ ability to trip themselves up later in tournaments is well enough chronicled but the first eight days of action in Qatar do not appear dotted with pitfalls for Gareth Southgate’s men.

First Iran, then the United States and Wales know that any point gained against England would represent a bonus in what, realistically, is a three-way scrap for second.

But they all look short against an England side who have shown time and again under Southgate that they have the firepower and the set-piece quality to thump most weaker opponents.

The race to be runners-up looks fascinating. The layers are struggling to split Wales and the US with Iran seen as the makeweights in the section, despite them being ranked only four places behind the Americans and one behind the Welsh.

Iran’s downfall could be a lack of goals and the greater international experience, certainly of Wales, could ultimately determine who follows England into the second phase.

There’s some big-game confidence about the Welsh after reaching the knockout stages of the last two Euros, the second of those under Rob Page. They also showed their mettle against Austria and Ukraine in winner-takesall qualifiers to get here.

Gareth Bale leads a side boasting bags of experience and nous, and that could be decisive in a tight group.

Best bets

England to win nine points 2pts 5-2 Coral, Ladbrokes

England-Wales straight forecast 2pts 9-4 general

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