Can England avoid any more ignominy with a rampant win over Malta in their World Cup qualifier this Saturday?

It was somewhat unimaginable after England’s shocking Euros exit against Iceland the national side would manage to near that nadir just a couple of months later. Then Big Sam went and opened his big mouth, losing his job in record time and making sure that whatever vestige of dignity England as a footballing entity had left suffered yet another attack.

Now it’s the turn of Gareth Southgate to try and steer the side back to glory while the FA scramble to find a new manager. At least the infamous penalty-misser has an easy start to his tenure in the most toxic job in football, a visit from Group D whipping boys Malta.

Following the stodgy injury-time victory against Slovakia and, of course, the recent Big Sam scandal, England could do with a bit of a blow-out. And, considering Malta managed to lose 5-1 to Scotland in Ta’ Qaki, that’s the very least the side should be expected to achieve.

As it has for Manchester United this season the questions surrounding Wayne Rooney’s present worth is arguably England’s most pressing non-managerial problem, and rather a touchy subject for a part-timer like Southgate to take-on. Both Marcus Rashford and Theo Walcott have made compelling cases in recent weeks to displace the England captain, while a slightly underwhelming Jamie Vardy is still knocking at the door.

Regardless of whom ends up starting goals shouldn’t be an issue on Saturday, with Spreadex offering a whopping England/Malta Goal Supremacy spread of 4.05-4.35 alongside a Total Goals spread of 4.6-4.9.

Chasing their first appearance at a major tournament since 1998, Scotland will then hope to keep in step with their Group D rivals England with a win over Lithuania on Saturday evening. As mentioned the Scots absolutely smashed Malta in their last game, a hat-trick from Hull’s Robert Snodgrass complimented by goals from Chris Martin and Steven Fletcher. If they are to nab one of the qualifying spots from the more favoured Slovakia, Slovenia or, indeed, England, Gordon Strachan’s side will have to put that Maltese momentum to good effect against Lithuania.

Lithuania, for what it’s worth, put in a decent shift against Slovenia, and actually were a minute away from winning all 3 points only to be thwarted by a 93rd minute headed equaliser from Chievo’s Bostjan Cesar. Their trip to Hampden Park, however, may prove to be a bit more difficult, with Spreadex offering a Scotland/Lithuania Goal Supremacy spread of 1.15-1.35 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.3-2.5.

Finally Northern Ireland will be looking to secure a vital 3 points when they host quintessential minnows San Marino. It’s somewhat heart-breaking that after their historic appearance at Euro 2016 Northern Ireland have been dealt such a tough World Cup qualifying group, one that contains Germany, Czech Republic and (slightly less fearfully) Norway. Yet already Michael O’Neill’s side have impressed, holding the Czechs to a 0-0 draw in Prague to secure their first point of their campaign.

Given the difficulties they may face in Group C dropping points to San Marino is unthinkable. During their Euro 2016 qualifying attempt La Serenissima (which ironically translates as The Most Serene) conceded 36 goals while scoring just 1. Incredibly that’s not even their qualifying worst performance on record; in attempting to reach the 2014 World Cup San Marino conceded 54 goals, again managing just 1 in return. In other words O’Neill’s side need to win big, with Spreadex offering a Northern Ireland/San Marino Goal Supremacy spread of 3.65-3.85 alongside a Total Goals spread of 4.05-4.35.