International friendly: England vs Wales – Copybet

Thomas Tuchel’s first six matches in charge have yielded five competitive wins and one defeat, with the loss coming in his sole friendly at home to Senegal.

That 3-1 loss to the Lions of Teranga was a rare recent blip for England, who are top of Group K in 2026 World Cup qualifying with a perfect five wins to nil.

The shackles came off for England in a hugely impressive 5-0 win away at Serbia in September, but it could be a more low-key performance with nothing but bragging rights at stake against Wales.

The Three Lions have edged past Andorra and Albania 2-0 in home World Cup qualifiers during Tuchel’s reign, as well as beating Latvia 3-0, and backing them to score two or three goals against Craig Bellamy’s side is where the value may lie.

The Dragons have lost only two of their last 12 internationals and only once in that run - a 4-3 defeat at Belgium - have they conceded more than two goals, so they will be set up to frustrate their superior opponents.

England have won all seven meetings with Wales since 2004 and the last two clashes, which came in 2020 and 2022, ended 3-0 in the Three Lions' favour. This could follow a similar narrative as Tuchel gives minutes to some of his fringe players.

When England last met Wales at the World Cup in 2022, the Three Lions stamped their class in a 3-0 victory at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan and it was Marcus Rashford that set them on their way before completing the deal with the third.

Rashford’s career has stalled somewhat since then but he has been rejuvenated recently by a loan move to Barcelona, the highlight being his brace in a 2-1 Champions League triumph at Newcastle, which Tuchel was in attendance for.

The 27-year-old scored in his final game before the international break for the Catalan giants and, having also been on target for England in their recent 5-0 drubbing of Serbia, he could get in on the action against Wales if given the nod to start.