Gareth Southgate usually gets a response from his players after a poor performance, so an England beat Bulgaria and over 3.5 goals bet appeals for their next Euro 2020 qualifier on Monday.
Although this is another away day in Eastern Europe, the Three Lions have never lost to this opposition.
England beat Bulgaria 4-0 at home and now visit Sofia with something to prove, but look value at 2/1 with Paddy Power for victory and over 3.5 goals in the reverse fixture.
Defeat in Prague to the Czech Republic was embarrassing, but Southgate will demand a reaction and has got one in the past.
Three of Bulgaria’s last four internationals have contained four goals or more, so over 3.5 goals is a realistic shout.
They shipped three at home to Kosovo after throwing away a 2-1 lead in June. Recent away football matches also ended as comprehensive defeats at Wembley and in Dublin.
A scoreless draw with Montenegro doesn’t paper over the cracks. This is a shadow of past Bulgarian sides and the Three Lions have the beating of them.
Five out of England’s last seven internationals, meanwhile, contained four goals or more. They won each of those.
England beat Bulgaria and over 3.5 goals worth a punt
In the past 12 months, Southgate’s side have scored five three times. A bad result when last in action shouldn’t hide that.
Bulgaria sit 58 places below England in the FIFA World Rankings. The Three Lions are rated fourth best international football team in the world and now battle inferior opposition.
Home advantage simply isn’t going to be enough to bridge that gap. A convincing victory to silence critics is surely the target for England.
They still top Euro 2020 qualifying Group A on 12 points after five games on head-to-head goal difference.
Bulgaria prop up the pool winless from six matches. Only Montenegro have conceded more than their 11 goals.
England have averaged four goals per game with 20 in total. Harry Kane has scored seven of those and Raheem Sterling six.
The Three Lions have too much firepower for the beleaguered Bulgarians, then, and can bounce back in Sofia with a big win.
Bet of the Day: 2/1 with Paddy Power, England beat Bulgaria and over 3.5 goals in Euro 2020 qualifier.
