England will aim to prepare for the World Cup this summer in style when they host Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on Friday night.
A flawless qualifying campaign saw the Three Lions win all eight games without conceding, and under new manager Thomas Tuchel, they are dreaming of ending a 60-year wait to win the world's biggest international football competition.
Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay have also qualified for the World Cup, and they also have experience of winning it having won the first-ever one as hosts in 1930, but the latest world rankings suggest they will be underdogs this summer and at Wembley on Friday.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our free expert international friendly predictions!
Contents
England vs Uruguay key stats
- England have won every game under Tuchel except a friendly against Senegal in June.
- Uruguay have won just once in 10 away matches in all competitions (D6, L3).
- BTTS has come through in three of the previous four H2Hs.
England vs Uruguay preview: Three Lions to roar to victory?
| England | vs | Uruguay |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | FIFA ranking | 17th |
| Harry Kane (112) | Most caps | Fernando Muslera (133) |
| Harry Kane (78) | Most goals | Giorgian de Arrascaeta/Darwin Nunez (13) |
| 892 | Total caps | 875 |
| 152 | Total goals | 71 |
| 3 | Uncapped players | 0 |
After another major final defeat at Euro 2024, this time at the hands of Spain, Gareth Southgate was replaced by Tuchel.
The German has an impressive CV based off his club management, where he has shown that he can get over the line in major finals.
Six of Marcus Rashford's last seven England goals have come after HT.
That is what England need now after coming close so many times under Southgate, and Tuchel's record so far (W9, L1) suggests they could go all the way at the World Cup.
Friendlies against Uruguay and Japan will test the squad ahead of the summer, with players like Eberechi Eze and Jarrel Quansah having to withdraw with injury.
Uruguay may not have quite the same ambition, but they will still want to get as far as possible in this summer's tournament.
Uruguay have failed to win their last two games (D1, L1).
England, who rank 13 places above them in the FIFA rankings, will prove a stern test for the South Americans, especially given their away form of late is not the best.
Manager Bielsa is known to the Three Lions from his time in English football with Leeds United, while players like joint-top scorer in the squad Darwin Nunez have also played in England.
Uruguay will certainly pose a threat, but England should be favourites on home soil.
England vs Uruguay form guide & betting tips
| England | vs | Uruguay |
|---|---|---|
| W-W-W-W-W | Form | D-W-W-D-L |
| 17 | Goals For | 4 |
| 0 | Goals Against | 6 |
| L-L-W | Int'l friendly form | W-D-L |
Whispers predicts: England 2-1 Uruguay
England are 8/15 favourites with bookmakers to win at home, and we feel inclined to agree.
However, the Three Lions have only won once in four previous H2Hs in all competitions (D1, L2), so we do not think it will be easy for them.
BTTS - Yes at 6/5 therefore appeals to us, while our Correct score - 2-1 at 8/1 prediction comes from the same scoreline being produced in the last two meetings.
With several England regulars reportedly expected to be rested for this match, we could also see relatively obscure goalscorers.
Rashford could be one of them being the second-top scorer in the squad (18), and the Barcelona star will be familiar with a number of the Uruguay players that ply their trade in LaLiga.
Marcus Rashford to score anytime at 9/4 is therefore a bet we are also willing to take a punt on.
> BTTS - Yes at 6/5 | Likelihood: Probable
> Marcus Rashford to score anytime at 9/4 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score - 2-1 at 8/1 | Likelihood: Outsider