England v Romania predictions: Three Lions should stand firm in final warm-up

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for England v Romania in Sunday's international friendly.

Where to watch

England v Romania
ITV, 5pm Sunday

Best bet

England to win to nil
1pt Evs bet365

Team news

England
Trent Alexander-Arnold (thigh) is out of the Euros and Harry Maguire and is unlikely to be risked. Jordan Henderson has played a full part in training and may be involved.

Romania
Andrei Burca, Nicusor Bancu and Iulian Cristea are injured. Florin Tanase is suspended after his red card against Georgia.

Match preview

England have won all four of their international fixtures in 2021 and they are hot favourites to extend that winning run against Romania in their final warm-up game before Euro 2020.

Gareth Southgate's side were not entirely convincing during Wednesday's 1-0 friendly victory over Austria when Bukayo Saka's first international goal proved decisive.

The England boss had some nervy moments as Austria hit the bar, had an effort cleared off the line and ended up with 14 shots on goal to the Three Lions' nine.

Southgate admitted that his side looked "a bit disjointed" at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium and he will be hoping for a more solid display at the back against Romania at the same venue.

England are jostling for tournament favouritism with France but their preparation for the finals, at which they face Croatia, Scotland and the Czech Republic, has not been ideal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's inclusion was the major talking point when Southgate announced his 26-man squad for the finals but the Liverpool right-back is out of the tournament due to a thigh injury sustained against Austria.

Senior squad members Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson are still short of full fitness after injuries and the Chelsea and Manchester City contingent have had only a week to recover from the Champions League final in Porto.

With Maguire and City's John Stones and Kyle Walker unlikely to start against Romania, there could be an unfamiliar look to the England backline with Conor Coady and Tyrone Mings at the heart of defence and La Liga winner Kieran Trippier at right-back.

Southgate has been criticised for his cautious approach, persisting with playing two holding midfielders and it is hard to see him going gung-ho as England aim for a seventh consecutive win to nil in friendly internationals.

Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham or, if fully fit, Kalvin Phillips of Leeds should protect the back four and the evens that England win and keep a clean sheet is worth a bet.

Romania's only involvement in the European Championship finals is as hosts as three Group C matches and one last-16 tie will take place at the Arena Nationala in Bucharest.

They have lost their last three internationals, including a 1-0 defeat to Germany in World Cup qualifying in March, and their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign ended with defeats to Sweden (0-2) and Spain (0-5).

Romania were beaten 2-1 by Georgia in a spiky midweek friendly, scoring their goal after the Georgians had been reduced to ten men, and they may struggle to land a blow on their focused hosts, who have conceded only once in their last five matches.

Key stat

England have won their last six friendly internationals to nil.

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport