Will England’s road to Russia remain uninterrupted with a Wembley win over Slovakia?

While Gareth Southgate’s side can’t qualify for the 2018 World Cup on Monday night, a win over their opponents would increase their lead at the top of Group F from 2 to 5 points, leaving them with very little to do in October’s final round of games.



From a confidence perspective, England could also do with something a bit more exciting than what they produced last Friday against Malta. It took England until the 53rd minute to break through in Ta’ Qali, with a trio of goals in the finally 6 minutes producing a result that flatters what was a (typically) turgid and uninspiring performance.

Only really Harry Kane impressed in that game, his brace – including the opener – giving him 10 goals from 20 senior team internationals. Kane heads into Monday night at a Super Mega PGM of 59-69, with Marcus Rashford, arguably his most likely partner after replacing a stultifying Raheem Sterling on Friday, at 25-30.

As for Slovakia, they’ve been breathing down England’s neck ever since they overcame an early wobble. Though they narrowly lost their opening 2 games 1-0 – first to England, in Sam Allardyce’s only fixture in charge, then to Slovenia – they’ve since won 5 games on the trot, leaving them in 2nd place on 15 points.

Victory for Martin Srktel and co. on Monday would see them leapfrog the Three Lions, creating a rather tasty final push for qualification. Hopefully it won’t come to that, however, with Spreadex offering an England/Slovakia Goal Supremacy spread of 1.3-1.5 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.5-2.7.

Also in Group F Scotland try and keep their qualifying campaign alive with a win over Malta at Hampden Park. Gordon Strachan needs a lot of luck if the Scots are to reach Russia. Even if they win all 3 of their final games, that may not be enough – dependent on how England, Slovakia and Slovenia (who are only behind Scotland on goals scored) – to nab a place in the play-offs.



All they can do, then, is focus on the task at hand. Luckily that task looks eminently achievable. When Scotland travelled to Malta they came away with a 5-1 victory, including a hat-trick for Robert Snodgrass. A similar result is needed this time out, with Spreadex offering a Scotland/Malta Goal Supremacy spread of 2.95-3.15 alongside a Total Goals spread of 3.4-3.6.

Finally, Northern Ireland will look to seal Group F’s 2nd place when they host the Czech Republic. Michael O’Neill’s men are currently on 16 points, 5 behind group leaders Germany – who are at the very least assured of a play-off spot – and 7 ahead of their Monday opponents.



That means they could edge closer to a place in the 2nd round – looking at the ranking of the other group runners-up it appears pretty likely – and eliminate the rest of Group F if they avoid defeat against their visitors. It’s going to be tight, however, with Spreadex offering a Czech Republic/Northern Ireland (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 0-0.2 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2-2.2.