England kicks off Tuchel era against Albania
Uruguay hosts Argentina in South American World Cup qualifier
England’s Thomas Tuchel’s era finally begins with a home World Cup qualifier against Albania today, then a few hours later a battle of South America giants takes place with Argentina hosting Uruguay in an eagerly anticipated clash.
Event # 1 – WC QUAL – England vs Albania – 2:45PM
The Thomas Tuchel era is set to begin for England as they host Albania in a World Cup qualifier at the Wembley Stadium later today, as they begin their quest to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966.Amazingly, the last time England missed qualifying for a World Cup was in 1994 when the tournament was played in the USA. Now, in 2026, the World Cup will be played in the USA, plus Mexico and Canada, but it seems unlikely that England will not qualify from a group which includes the likes of Albania, Andorra, Latvia, and Serbia.With that said, England are unbeaten in their last 31 World Cup qualifiers, winning 23 during this impressive run, which is longest ongoing run of any European nation. Only once before have England ever lost their first fixture of any campaign – to Germany in October 2000, in the final match at the old Wembley Stadium.
Albania, on the other hand, qualified for the Euro 2016 and Euro 2024 finals which has been a huge accomplishment for them, but they have not been quite able to do the same for the World Cup finals.The Albanians enter this huge clash low on confidence having just two wins from their last eleven overall matches.They ended their horrible Nations League campaign with a 2-1 defeat against Ukraine last November and couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge when they travel to Wembley later today.With that said, Albania have lost all six previous matches against England scoring just once during this run.
Key Stats
• England – England are unbeaten in 31 consecutive World Cup qualifying matches and have not lost at home in a World Cup qualifying match since a 0-1 defeat against Germany in October 2000.
• Albania – Albania have won four of their last six World Cup qualifiers and have kept clean sheets in four of their last six World Cup qualifiers. However, Albania lost 2-0 and 5-0 home and away against England in the 2021 World Cup qualifiers.
• Both sides – England have won all six previous meetings with Albinia, only having more impressive 100%-win records against minnows Luxembourg (9 wins from 9matches, San Marino (8 wins from 8 matches), and Malta (7 wins from 7 matches).
The betting Tip. England win.
Event # WC QUAL – Argentina vs Uruguay– 6:30PM
Second placed Uruguay are hoping to claim a big scalp when they host world champions Argentina today in their South American World Cup qualifier. Uruguay started the qualifying campaignin impressive fashion, losing just twice from their opening twelve matches played so far, and are unbeaten at home with four wins and two draws,in six home games. The Uruguayans will be confident of doing the double over the World Champions having shocked the Argentines 2-0 in the reverse fixture in Argentina back in November 2024. Indeed, Uruguay have established themselves as serious contenders for automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, as they enter this clash in a confident mood, having played to an impressive 1-1 away draw to Brazil in their most recent game, further cementing their reputation as a formidable force in South American football. That result in Brazil extended their unbeaten run in the qualifiers to four matches.
Meanwhile, the reigning World Champions, Argentina, have continued their impressive form into their 2026 World Cup campaign to lead the standing by five points, ahead of their upcoming opponents Uruguay. The Argentines will enter this clash without their talisman Lionel Messi who is out of his team’s two qualifiers with a slight injury, which will be cause for concern for an Argentina team that have shown some vulnerability away from home with three wins, one draw, and two losses so far in this campaign. This mixed form on the road could be a factor against a Uruguay side that have been formidable on home soil. With Messi not being available for this away match, Argentina, who have had a tough time on their recent away trips, with a 1-1 draw against Venezuela being their only point earned in their last three away qualifications matches, while they lost 1-2 to Colombia and Paraguay, faces an uphill battle in breaching Uruguay’s unblemished home record.
Key Stats
• Uruguay – Uruguay have gone unbeaten at home in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with four wins and two draws, they are also unbeaten in their last 11 overall home matches.
• Argentina – Argentina are winless in their last three away World Cup qualifying matches but have scored at least a goal in 11 of their last 12 World Cup qualifiers.
• Both sides – Uruguay won the reverse fixture 2-0 when both nations met back in November, but Argentina had won the previous three meetings between both sides.
The betting Tip. Uruguay win.
JUSTBET ODDS – England vs Albania
Friday, March 21, 2025
Prediction Odds on Prediction Odds Calculation
ENGLAND TO WIN $1.16 which means a $1,000 bet would pay $1,160
ALBANIA TO WIN $15.00 which means a $1,000 bet would pay $15,000
MATCH TO DRAW $6.33 which means a $1,000 bet would pay $6,330
Odds on the Home Team (England) winning the game 3-0 at full time $6.00 which means that a $1,000 bet would pay $6,000
Odds on the Away Team (Albania) winning the game 0-1 at full time $36.00 which means that a $1,000 bet would pay $36,000
Odds on the game drawing 1-1 at full time $14.00 which means that a $1,000 bet would pay $14,000.
JUSTBET ODDS – Uruguay vs Argentina
Friday, March 21, 2025
Prediction Odds on Prediction Odds Calculation
URUGUAY TO WIN $2.71 which means a $1,000 bet would pay $2,710
ARGENTINATO WIN $2.90 which means a $1,000 bet would pay $2,900
MATCH TO DRAW $2.71 which means a $1,000 bet would pay $2,710
Odds on the Home Team (Uruguay) winning the game 2-0at full time $12.00 which means that a $1,000 bet would pay $12,000
Odds on the Away Team (Argentina) winning the game 1-2 at full time $11.00 which means that a $1,000 bet would pay $11,000
Odds on the game drawing 1-1at full time $5.33 which means that a $1,000 bet would pay $5,330.
England’s midfielder Curtis Jones takes part in a training session with teammates at Tottenham’s training ground, in Enfield, north of London, on March 20, 2025, ahead of their UEFA World Cup Qualifying Group K football matches against Albania and Latvia. (Photo: AFP)
