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England take their World Cup 2026 preparations to the next level when they host Uruguay at Wembley on Friday evening. Manager Thomas Tuchel will be without several regular starters, meaning the manager can hand game time to some World Cup hopefuls.
Will the locals boost confidence by beating a strong opponent on live television in London?
England topped World Cup qualifying Group K with a perfect record of eight wins. Uruguay finished fourth in the South American qualifiers, ending behind Argentina, Ecuador, and Colombia, but ahead of Brazil.
Seven wins, seven draws, four defeats doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in an away win for the two-time FIFA World Cup winners.
Friday’s showdown in the UK capital may be a friendly, but with the World Cup fast-approaching, there’s a lot on the line here. Which team will win and how?
Keep reading as Flashscore’s Frank Monkhouse studies the stats and trends before offering his three data-led predictions. With a range of markets and odds covered, there’s a bet to suit.
England v Uruguay tips
Both teams to score @ 10/11 (bet365)
England 2-1 Uruguay @ 15/2 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Both teams to score - yes
My first suggested bet worth a look is for both England and Uruguay to score at least one goal each. You’ll find this one in the both teams to score market on the bet365 app.
Simply tap the odds next to 'Yes' to add to your bet slip, enter a stake, then check and confirm. Your bet is now live, and a cash-out amount will appear. The match-winner isn’t important.
We start by looking at the head-to-head stats. England and Uruguay have met 11 times previously. The Sky Blue arrive in North London with five wins.
The Three Lions have won three and drawn three so far. It’s worth knowing that both teams scored in each of the last two games, including a match at Anfield when Crouch, Cole, and Pouso all found the net.
We already know that England’s recent form has been fantastic, but they won’t be at full strength for this match. That will encourage the visitors to take chances and go on the attack, hoping to silence the home support.
England’s last two friendlies produced an aggregate score of 4-3 against Senegal and Wales. Back both teams to score on Friday.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 10/11 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need both England and Uruguay to score at least one goal each.
Total goals - over 2.5
With goals expected, we move on to my second prediction: Friday’s friendly to produce more than two goals from both teams combined. Here, a 3-0 home win is every bit as useful as a 2-2 draw or a 3-0 victory for Uruguay.
Like above, backers aren’t concerned by which team wins this World Cup warm-up. All you care about is an entertaining match with many goals.
Sticking with the H2H, a bet on over 2.5 landed in three of the previous four. That’s strong enough to catch our eye.
Focusing on England’s recent results, they’ve scored nine goals in three games, beating Latvia, Serbia, and Albania. In the same three-match period, Uruguay registered three goals but conceded six. That’ll encourage a star-studded England attack.
England have had no problems finding the net under Tutchel, and have been as solid in defence as we’ve seen them for many years.
Given that this is a friendly match, with the manager making changes and giving some of his fringe players an opportunity to shine, I expect goals. England bring firepower, but Uruguay aren’t here just to make up the numbers.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 17/20 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Friday’s match must end with more than two goals scored.
Correct score - England 2-1 Uruguay
I sign off with my usual third pick at high odds. I expect England to make home advantage count and defeat Marcelo Bielsa’s team before a bumper audience.
Having picked both nations to score and over 2.5 goals, a 2-1 win for England makes sense. Follow my thinking, and if the match ends England 2-1 Uruguay, you’ll celebrate a stunning win at 18/1.
I strongly suggest keeping your stakes small if following my correct score prediction, but it’s far from a shot in the dark. The stats suggest we’ll get a run for our money.
The head-to-head results show that 2-1 was the final score in each of the last two meetings. It was also correct in three of the previous four. That’s just too good to ignore at the price.
England scored exactly two goals in their last two starts, beating both Serbia and Albania. They also put two past Andorra, Finland, and Ireland in recent times.
The South Americans scored one goal when losing to the USA, got another when facing the Dominican Republic, and also scored once when drawing with Brazil at the Arena Fonte Nova. Back England 2-1.
Tip: England 2-1 Uruguay @ 15/2 (bet365)
Bet explanation: The match must finish 2-1 in favour of England for the bet to win.
England v Uruguay odds
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.