The Premier League has been disrupted this weekend due to the return of the international return when qualification for Euro 2020 begins. England kick off their campaign on Friday night against Czech Republic.

STATS

• Football didn’t quite come home from Russia last year for the Three Lions but by reaching the semi-finals, they achieved far more than they were expecting. They even have a chance at some silverware in the summer as they have booked a place in the UEFA Nations League semi-final in Portugal. They secured it in the most dramatic fashion, scoring two late goals to win 2-1 against Croatia.
• Czech Republic had a quiet summer as they failed to qualify for the World Cup but they bounced back with some decent Nations League performances. By finishing 2^nd in their group behind Ukraine, they won’t be relegated or promoted. They managed two wins in the last international break, both 1-0 against Poland and then Slovakia.
• Harry Kane was the recipient of the Golden Boot at the World Cup with six goals and he’ll be hoping to add to his impressive England tally on Friday.
• Patrik Schik has been playing second fiddle to Edin Dzeko at Roma this term but he should be the focal point for the Czechs at Wembley.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two nations have met on two occasions but most recently over 10 years ago in an international friendly in 2008. That game finished 2-2 but it was England who won in the first fixture, a 2-0 victory back in 1998. They are yet to meet at a major tournament so far and when the Three Lions travel to Prague for the return match, it will their first meetings on Czech soil.

ENGLAND NEWS

Since announcing the squad, England have lost a few players as Trent Alexander-Arnold, John Stones, Fabian Delph, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Luke Shaw and now Marcus Rashford have all dropped out of the squad.

Latest matches: England

18.11.2018	UEFA	England	Croatia	2:1	W
15.11.2018	Int.	England	USA	3:0	W
15.10.2018	UEFA	Spain	England	2:3	W
12.10.2018	UEFA	Croatia	England	0:0	D
11.09.2018	Int.	England	Switzerland	1:0	W

CZECH REPUBLIC NEWS

The visitors have also had a dropout as their first-team goalkeeper, Tomas Vaclik is injured meaning Tomas Koubek will likely start between the sticks.

Latest matches: Czech Republic

19.11.2018	UEFA	Czech Republic	Slovakia	1:0	W
15.11.2018	Int.	Poland	Czech Republic	0:1	W
16.10.2018	UEFA	Ukraine	Czech Republic	1:0	L
13.10.2018	UEFA	Slovakia	Czech Republic	1:2	W
10.09.2018	Int.	Russia	Czech Republic	5:1	L

SUMMARY

With the belief in the England camp, and with them playing at home, this home side will be very confident of claiming their first three points. I expect them to beat their well-organised opponents quite comfortably which is why backing England to win with a -1 handicap looks very good value.