There has been some tension between Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham since the German coach took over as head coach of the Three Lions, with this tension reaching boiling point during the last international camp, as Jude Bellingham was left out of the squad. He didn’t start England’s 2-0 win over Serbia last time out, with Morgan Rogers once again starting in the role just behind Harry Kane. 

This will naturally irk a player of Bellingham’s talent, being one of England’s most important players over the last calendar year, particularly with his performances in the European Championships. He should be motivated to earn his spot in the starting eleven back with competition coming from all angles, after Tuchel confirmed that Foden, Bellingham and Kane can’t play in the same starting eleven to maintain the necessary balance. 

Bellingham has had 2+ shots in three of his four appearances in the World Cup Qualifiers so far, with the exception of his 25 minute cameo against Serbia last time out, in which he still managed to get one shot away. He’s had 13 shots in total across his four appearances in qualifying (4.32 per 90), which is a promising record.

Bellingham has also had 17 shots across his eight appearances in LaLiga for Real Madrid this season (3.25 per 90). These shot numbers are comparable with the numbers that Bellingham posted during the 23/24 season for Madrid, which was a campaign that saw him score 23 goals. Bellingham had three shots when these sides clashed at Wembley, with England having 12 shots overall in the game.

Konsa was hauled down twice in England’s 2-0 win over Serbia last time out, which represented the 13th time that Konsa has been fouled across his seven appearances at the World Cup Qualifiers (2.11 per 90). He should continue in a starting role here, with Marc Guehi returning to Crystal Palace due to a small injury he picked up during the camp. 

Konsa’s ability to win fouls is largely informed by how comfortable he is on the ball. He is a favourite of Unai Emery for this reason, with Konsa a key cog in Aston Villa’s build up play. Konsa has won 12 fouls across his 10 Premier League appearances this season (1.23 per 90), so winning fouls is a strong aspect of his game.

Konsa’s main opponent here is likely to be Rey Manaj, who has committed nine fouls across his six appearances in the World Cup Qualifiers (1.71 per 90). England are likely to dominate the ball and force the attacking players of Albania to chase after lost causes, or be slightly too aggressive in their press. Konsa was fouled three times, more than any other player, in England’s 2-0 win over Albania at Wembley back at the start of the qualifying campaign.

The meeting between these sides at Wembley produced exactly two goals, as England ran out 2-0 winners. England dictated proceedings on that occasion, and are expected to do the same here. England registered an xG of 1.48 in that game, which is a tally they should be able to improve on in their final qualifying match. 

England have netted 20 goals across their seven qualifying matches (2.85 per game) and are yet to concede, in a group which also contains Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra. England have seen 2+ goals in six of these matches, with the exception of their 1-0 win over Andorra. That contest should have produced more goals, with England registering an xG of 4.00 from 20 shots.

Albania are the second top scorers in the group, with seven goals across their seven matches. They’ve netted four goals across their three home matches, without conceding, but are likely to be dragged into a high scoring affair by an England side that have shown real promise in the final third under Tuchel, particularly in recent camps, with England netting 17 goals across their last five matches. 

England registered another comfortable victory as they ran out 2-0 winners over Serbia at Wembley last time out, to make it seven wins from seven in qualifying for Tuchel. England have scored 20 goals across these matches, without conceding, showing how dominant they have been in their bid to reach the World Cup next summer.

They travel to take on an Albania side that they beat 2-0 at Wembley when the sides met back in March, with England being in control throughout the contest. Albania only had three shots in that game, with none of these attempts finding the target, resulting in a lowly xG of 0.06. They also only had 26% of the ball, it will be difficult for Albania to establish a foothold in this contest.

England have been just as comfortable on the road as they have been at Wembley during this qualifying campaign. They’ve won all three of their away matches, netting 11 goals in the process and conceding none. This game doesn’t mean an awful lot to Albania, they have a four point gap to Serbia heading into the final qualifying match, so there won’t be a heavy cry for Albania to win the game for qualifying reasons.