England vs Albania tips and predictions: Rashford to fire England to victory in Tuchel’s Wembley bow

England state of play

Thomas Tuchel finally takes the reins of his England team at Wembley on Friday, five months after being confirmed as Gareth Southgate’s replacement.

Lee Carsley stood in as a ship-steadying interim for a handful of fixtures last year, most recently scoring convincing Nations League victories over Greece (3-0 away) and the Republic of Ireland (5-0 at home) in November.

Love football? Find the best football betting sites and bet with welcome bonuses today.

Anyone hoping for an influx of fresh young talent in the German’s first Three Lions squad will have been slightly disappointed.

But Arsenal’s teenage full-back Myles Lewis-Skelley fits that bill with his first call-up, while 32-year-old Newcastle defender Dan Burn is only the other uncapped newcomer.

The main headline-grabbing picks, however, were the return from exile of a couple of England veterans in 34-year-old Jordan Henderson, now of Ajax, and Aston Villa-loanee Marcus Rashford.

Albania state of play 

Currently ranked 65th in the world, England welcome Albania to Wembley for a World Cup qualifier to kick off the Tuchel era.

The former Chelsea boss’ opposite number is a face familiar to Premier League fans of a certain vintage, as is the Red and Blacks’ assistant manager.

Former Arsenal and Manchester City left-back Sylvinho – who as a player spent three seasons in England’s top flight either side of a spell in Spain with Celta Vigo and Barcelona – took charge of Albania in January 2023 and defied all odds to lead them to qualification for last summer’s Euros.

And the Brazilian’s number two is Pablo Zabaleta, the combative former City and West Ham right-back.

Albania’s main selection concern for Friday revolves around the fitness of first-choice centre-back Ardian Ismajli, who missed training on Wednesday.

Key talking point: The return of a rejuvenated Rashford

Marcus Rashford has earned a recall to the England set-up for the first time in almost a year. This is after an improved form, since signing for Aston Villa on loan from parent-club Manchester United in January.

The versatile 27-year-old forward had looked a shadow of his best in recent seasons for United and his association with his boyhood club appears to be at an end.

But with four assists in his last six outings, he has returned to something approaching peak form for Unai Emery’s side.

And while he is yet to score for Villa, Rashford boasts an impressive strike rate for England, with 17 goals from 60 caps.

FIRST’s top tip for England vs Albania 

Back Rashford to make a mark with the new manager by getting on the scoresheet at any time at 6/4 with Ladbrokes at the time of writing.

Pick: Marcus Rashford to score anytime - 6/4 (Ladbrokes)

Extra tips

Back England to score over 2.5 goals at 4/5 and captain Harry Kane – who has hit the net 32 times for Bayern Munich this season – to score at least two goals at 18/5 with Coral.

Pick: England to score over 2.5 goals - 4/5 (Coral)

Pick: Harry to score 2+ goals - 18/5 (Ladbrokes)

Team news

Cole Palmer had to withdraw from the England squad due to injury, with in-form Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White called up to replace the Chelsea star. 

For Albania, Lazio full-back Elseid Hysaj is out injured, as is Mario Mitaj of Al-Ittihad, who has recently undergone groin surgery.

England vs Albania predicted line-ups 

England: Pickford; Walker, Guehi, Colwill, Lewis-Skelly; Jones, Rice; Foden, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane (4-2-3-1)

Albania: Strakosha; Balliu, Ismajli, Djimsiti, Aliji; Asllani, Ramadani; Asani, Bajrami, Muci; Manaj (4-2-3-1) 

Form guide 

England: WWWLWWLWWW 

Albania: WLDLWLLWDL