The fans have already started the clashes. The verbal duels between the players too have begun. Only the actual game of football needs to be played now. Wales is comfortably placed with three points, while England looks like fire-fighting for survival for the umpteenth time. The bookmakers seem to favour England ( 4/7 for England win, 16/5 for draw and 11/2 for Wales win with bet365). That is good news for the smart bettors as Wales is well-placed to cause an upset.

England

England, as always, will field a galaxy of top stars from the English Premier League. The problem for them is that national squads have far more superior defences than premier league sides. The Adam Lallanas and Raheem Sterlings tend to struggle when faced with sturdy defending.

England did play well in their opening fixture against Russia. They were leading till the final moments, but conceded a late equaliser. Lack of focus towards the end cost them two points. They will be looking forward to get full three points from this fixture. But more than the points, maintaining the regional bragging rights will be high on the England players’ minds. Man for man, they are better than Wales. As a team, however, they do not have the cohesion of their neighbours.

Wales

Wales played calm and assured football in the opening fixture against Slovakia. Gareth Bale led from the front with a virtuoso performance. What England lacks is such a talisman. He has some excellent attackers for company too: Hal Robson-Kanu, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen.

The match background is advantageous Wales. They are on top of Group B and they can sit back and wait for quick counter-attacking opportunities.

England v Wales match facts

• There is a long history of duels between England and Wales. England has won eight of the last nine matches. The last time Wales won against England was in 1984. Bale was not born then. Not in his life time, really!

England v Wales betting tips

If England team plays with their full potential, especially roused by the recent banter between the teams, the match will be theirs. 

England 1.57 @ bet365