Poland v England predictions: Three Lions should be comfortable in Warsaw

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Poland v England in World Cup qualifying Group I.

Where to watch

iITV, 7.45pm Wednesday

Best bet

England -1 goal on handicap
1pt 2-1 Betfair, PaddyPower

Team news

Poland
Defender Bartosz Bereszynski is set to be assessed for the hosts.

England
Changes are expected after Gareth Southgate fielded a new 11 against Andorra while Jadon Sancho is out of the squad after picking up a knock in training. Tyrone Mings is unavailable after an accumulation of yellow cards.

Match preview

After a terrific run to the final of Euro 2020, England are already close to booking their spot at next year's World Cup with five wins from five games in qualifying.

But they conclude the current international break with their toughest qualifier yet - at least on paper - when they travel to Warsaw to face Poland.

England are one of only two teams with a 100 per cent record after five matches in World Cup qualifying, scoring 17 goals and conceding only once.

That one goal conceded came in March's Wembley clash with Poland, who were missing Robert Lewandowski at the time, and they are considered England's closest challengers in Group I.

And although that may be true, the gulf in quality between these sides is bigger than punters may anticipate.

The Poles were toothless at Euro 2020, losing to Slovakia and Sweden either side of a dull stalemate with Spain to crash out in the group phase.

And they have hardly been tested at the start of this international break, rolling over Albania 4-1 before a much-changed side romped to a 7-1 mauling of minnows San Marino.

Teams can of course only beat those in front of them but the fact Poland conceded against both of those sides speaks to their sloppiness at the back and England are well drilled to punish such mistakes.

Like Poland, England are also fresh from a routine victory, beating Andorra 4-0 last time out with an entirely different 11 from the team who beat Hungary by the same scoreline.

England's biggest hitters have therefore managed to rest before this game and should be confident of putting some breathing space between them and second-placed Poland.

Southgate's men look about right at 4-6 to triumph but the better bet could be to back them giving up a goal on the handicap, whereby they need to win by two or more goals for the selection to succeed.

That bet would have clicked in four of England's five qualifying matches.

And even in the other - the 2-1 win over Poland - they were comfortable with ten shots to four and 64 per cent of the ball.

England played conservatively in most matches at the Euros but in these qualifiers fringe players are looking to break into a competitive squad with strong performances, meaning the team seldom drop off as the game wears on.

Against Hungary and Andorra, England excelled in the second period after changes were made and the need to impress Southgate is likely to result in greater attacking impetus.

Expect England to run out comfortable winners in the Polish capital.

Key stat

England have scored at least twice inside 90 minutes in four of their last six competitive matches.

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