Can England take another step towards the 2018 World Cup with a win over Malta this Friday?

As tends to be the case in qualifying, England are still doing their whole ‘underwhelmingly unbeaten’ thing, so far winning 4 and drawing 2. Their most recent result was a frantic 2-2 draw in Scotland; Southgate’s side had taken the lead in the 70th minute, only for Leigh Griffiths to score a brace in the final 3 minutes of regular time. It looked like were on track for their first qualifying loss since a 1-0 defeat to Ukraine in 2009, only for Harry Kane – who heads into Friday night at a truly absurd Super Mega PGM of 117-142 – to score with almost the final kick of the game.



There are a couple of things to factor in ahead of the Maltese match. First is that Joe Hart is still Southgate’s no. 1 despite conceding 10 goals in his first 3 games in goal for West Ham. Then there’s the question of who plays up front with Kane, especially now that Wayne Rooney is removed from the conundrum. Of the potential partners, Jermain Defoe is at a Super Mega PGM of 78-90, Jamie Vardy at 73-85 and Marcus Rashford at 56-66.

England currently sit atop Group F on 14 points, only 2 ahead of Slovakia and 3 ahead of Slovenia, meaning despite the relative ease of their group they still can’t afford to slip up on Friday night. Given their opponents are already eliminated with 4 games to go that doesn’t seem likely, with Spreadex offering an England/Malta (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 3.2-3.4 alongside a Total Goals spread of 3.75-3.95.

Elsewhere in Group F, Scotland travel to Lithuania with hopes of keeping their qualifying campaign alive. That draw against England didn’t do much for the Scots, who sit in 4th place on 8 points and could really do with Slovakia or Slovenia slipping up sometime soon.



Luckily they’re faring better than Lithuania, who only have 5 points to their name. They did, however, nab a draw at Hampden Park, with Scotland needing an 89th minute equaliser from James McArthur. Gordon Strachan will want a more confident performance this time out, with Spreadex offering a Scotland/Lithuania (h) Goal Supremacy spread alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.2-2.4.

Also on Friday night, Northern Ireland look to score a boatful when they face regular whipping boys San Marino. Against the odds – and unlike Wales – Michael O’Neill’s side have kept some of their Euros sheen. They’ve only lost once, a 2-0 defeat in Germany, and are in 2nd place in Group C behind the world champions.



San Marino, on the other hand, are already eliminated and have conceded 30 goals in 6 games (4 of which came in Northern Ireland). Anything apart from another hammering will be a disappointment to O’Neill – lucky, then, that Spreadex are offering a Northern Ireland/San Marino (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 3.3-3.5 alongside a Total Goals spread of 3.55-3.75.

Turning to Saturday and the Republic of Ireland will want all 3 points from Georgia as they try to top Group D. Equal on 12 points with Serbia, but trailing on goal difference, Ireland could do with a big win this weekend.



They struggled on that front last time they met Georgia, beating the Eastern European side just 1-0. Yet a win’s a win, and Martin O’Neill won’t be complaining if his side can keep up the pressure on Serbia. Spreadex are offering a Republic of Ireland/Georgia (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 0.6-0.8 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.05-2.25.

Finally on Saturday evening Wales attempt to recapture that Euros-feeling against Austria. After the giddiness of last summer the Welsh qualifying campaign has been a disappointing return to the status quo.



Interesting Wales haven’t actually lost a game. Yet 5 draws have followed their opening 4-0 win over Moldova, leaving them stranded in 3rd place on the same 8 points as their weekend opponents. Chris Coleman can’t afford to drop any more points if his men stand a chance of reaching Russia next year; Spreadex are offering a narrow Wales/Austria Goal Supremacy spread of 0.25-0.45 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.2-2.4.