England continue their European Championship qualifying campaign on Friday night, hosting Malta at Wembley in a Group C encounter.
England have already qualified, having beaten Italy last month, and the Three Lions have two games left to play.
North Macedonia will be the final opponents for Gareth Southgate's team, but before that they face Malta, who are bottom of the group after losing all seven of their matches.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold first goalscorer
- England to win 5-0
- Jarrod Bowen last goalscorer
Liverpool Lad Set For Midfield Start
Perhaps the England player who enjoys himself more than any other when the Three Lions get together is Trent Alexander-Arnold, who can usually forget about defensive duties.
England chief Southgate likes to employ Alexander-Arnold in midfield and allow him to get forward – and this great talent could be set for another positive role against Malta. First-goalscorer punters should be sniffing around the juicy odds about Alexander-Arnold opening the scoring at Wembley.
Alexander-Arnold scored a stunning goal for England in the 4-0 victory over Malta in the reverse fixture in June. He was also getting forward well and contributing to goals in the 7-0 thrashing of North Macedonia.
With Jude Bellingham and James Maddison out injured, perhaps Alexander-Arnold will be given a midfield berth and licence to attack.
ALEXANDER-ARNOLD FIRST GOALSCORER
Three Lions Should Retain Their Focus
England are not just playing for pride against Malta. Southgate will make clear to his side that they need to stay on the front foot to guarantee a place in Pot One of the European Championship draw.
When the big guns arrive in Germany for the Championship proper, it is crucial to be drawn from Pot One, meaning a more favourable set of opening fixtures. The Three Lions need to finish top of Group C and in the top five teams in the European qualifiers in terms of points won.
Expect a positive start from Southgate's men, a flurry of early goals, then for the home side to cruise to a 5-0 victory on a cool, calm evening in the capital.
There are plenty of attacking options for Southgate to introduce from the bench, so a couple of late goals could be on the cards too against feeble opposition.
Bowen Can Play Super Sub Role
Southgate will probably shuffle his pack once the points have been secured – and a few players on the fringes of the first team will get the chance to impress.
West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen will be hopeful of getting some action at Wembley and the 26-year-old looks a decent option in the last goalscorer market.
Bowen, a huge fan of David Beckham as a youngster, would love to establish himself as an England legend and a home gig against Malta seems the ideal opportunity to claim a first goal for his country.
Bowen has the pace to run Malta ragged in the closing stages of the match. He has scored eight goals in 12 Premier League appearances for West Ham this season.
