England return to action with a friendly against Australia on Friday night, with kick-off at Wembley at 7.45pm. I’ve taken a look at the market to try and pick out a winning bet for this fixture.

Team news

England will be without Bukayo Saka after he was forced to withdraw from the squad through injury. He has been an ever-present for the Three Lions over the past year, but having missed Arsenal’s win over Manchester City, will also sit out the two matches against Australia and Italy. John Stones should be available for selection having come off the bench in that league fixture, but he may be slightly rusty given he is yet to start a league match this season. 

For Australia, Ipswich duo Cameron Burgess and Massimo Luongo have been called up, while Leicester City’s Harry Souttar is a key pillar at the back. Graham Arnold is still in charge having led them to the round of 16 at the last World Cup, and they only lost 2-1 to eventual champions Argentina. 

Jude Bellingham to score anytime @ 13/5

Eight goals. Eight games. La Liga’s top scorer and arguably the best player in the world so far this season. Bellingham has been nothing short of sensational, and unleashed in the number ten position he has established himself as a genuinely terrific goalscorer. Now pushed up into that position by England, he will take on more goalscoring responsibility for his country. 

The Three Lions have so much talent in those attacking areas, but arguably Bellingham is the biggest talent of the lot. Now it’s time for him to step up for England and start delivering the same goalscoring numbers he hits for his club. If he and Harry Kane can strike up the right partnership, there may be no stopping the Three Lions. 

England 2-0 Australia @ 9/2

England have been in good form, with the confident win against Scotland banishing any disappointment there may have been from the 1-1 draw with Ukraine. They sit top of the qualifying group on 13 points, and a win over Italy on Tuesday night should see them through to Euro 2024. Australia are winless in their last three, but always remain competitive, so although a home win is likely, we can extend the odds by nailing a correct scoreline. 

The Three Lions are unlikely to completely obliterate the Aussies, but they should be able to win the game fairly comfortably. However, with a crucial qualifier against Italy to come on Tuesday, Gareth Southgate may choose to rest and rotate several of his key players, so the home side are unlikely to go gung-ho for the full 90 minutes. 2-0 will be a scoreline that the England manager will take right now, keeping confidence high ahead of the Italy clash. At 9/2, I fancy it.