Once again there is an international break to interrupt the Premier League fun this weekend, though at least it throws up a potentially feisty (or, equally as likely, snooze-worthy) World Cup qualifier between England and Scotland, at 7.45pm on ITV.

Though technically unbeaten in Group F, England’s achievements have been somewhat undermined by both the limpness of their performances, most recently that 0-0 draw in Slovenia, and the Big Sam scandal. The fact that England have only scored 3 goals in 3 games, against ostensibly inferior opposition, is also troubling, especially given that the one area the country has plenty of options in is upfront.



Theo Walcott, at a Super Mega PGM of 20-24 after scoring 8 times so far for Arsenal this season, is the country’s most in-form forward, but may have to dash off due to his wife’s impending due date. That leaves the fresh from injury Harry Kane, at 33-39, an out of form Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy, at 36-42 and 30-36 respectively, and the ever promising Marcus Rashford, at 26-31. Controversially Gareth Southgate has already stated Wayne Rooney, at a Super Mega PGM of 32-38, will start, despite the captain’s less than glittering domestic performances.

While Southgate keeps the England managerial seat warm for whoever the FA can find, Scotland may well be on the look-out for their own replacement at the top if Gordon Strachan can’t turn things around. Bar a 5-1 thrashing of Malta the Scots have looked poor, and currently sit in 4th place on 4 points, on track to miss yet another major tournament.



Friday’s game will find the managers under differing pressures; for Southgate the need to secure England's position at the top of the group, for Strachan the need for a result to secure his job. Luckily for the former our traders seem to favour a home win, Spreadex offering an England/Scotland Goal Supremacy spread of 1.25-1.45 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.4-2.6.

The rest of the home countries aren’t neglected this weekend either. Northern Ireland host Azerbaijan on Friday night, and will be looking for a win to leap-frog their opponents and take 2nd place in a Germany-dominated Group C. It should work out well for Michael O’Neill’s side, with Spreadex offering a Northern Ireland/Azerbaijan Goal Supremacy spread of 0.7-0.9.

Late Saturday afternoon then sees the Republic of Ireland travel to Austria, aiming to take the top spot off of Serbia in Group D. A series of scrappy, solid performances has left Ireland with 7 points from 3 games, and they will be boosted by the returns of John O’Shea and James McClean. Yet their hosts were unlucky to lose to Serbia and our traders fancy the home side, offering an Austria/Ireland Goal Supremacy spread of 0.4-0.6.

Finally, Wales will be aiming to turn their campaign around on Saturday night when they host Serbia. After their summer heroics in France the World Cup qualifiers have been a bit of a comedown for Chris Coleman and co. Though they haven’t yet lost a game, draws against Austria and Georgia are hardly great for a team that dazzled Belgium in the Euros, and if their limp form continues they will be a risk of failing to reach Russia. With Bale driving them forward, however, they should just be able to sneak a win over the group leaders, leading Spreadex to offer a Wales/Serbia Goal Supremacy spread of 0.1-0.3 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.25-2.45.