England didn’t exactly fire on all cylinders against Uruguay on Friday, but they’re back in action on Tuesday night against Japan as preparations continue for this summer’s World Cup. We’ve put together a 3-leg bet builder to make the most of the occasion.
England v Japan Bet Builder Tips – Gordon to Be Flash
England were sluggish against Uruguay on Friday and will need to raise the tempo, even in a friendly, against an in-form Japan side. The Samurai Blue edged past Scotland 1-0 at Hampden on Saturday, and both teams come into this knowing improvement is required.
There’s also been a shake-up in the England squad. Eight players have departed, including Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, giving us a clearer picture of who’s likely to feature, opening the door for a player-focused angle.
We’ve built a 3-leg bet for this one, top priced with BetMGM, one of the best bookmakers around.
| Market | Odds | Return for £10 |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Gordon to Score or Assist | 8/5 | £26.00 |
| England to Win to Nil | 6/4 | £25.00 |
| Corner Handicap – England -2 | 23/25 | £19.20 |
| Bet Builder | 11.61/1 | £126.10 |
*Odds correct at 10:45 GMT on 30/03/2026. Odds subject to change.
Bet 1: Anthony Gordon to Score or Assist
Anthony Gordon steps into the spotlight for Tuesday’s clash, and the Newcastle forward has thrived in the right situations this season. Those moments have largely come on the Champions League stage, where varied opposition and styles seem to bring out his best – he’s just the right type for international football.
Now that we know what players remain in the squad, this felt like the right time to lock in a player bet. It comes down to minutes and impact – who’s likely to be on the pitch, and who can influence the game in attacking areas? On both counts, Gordon stands out.
He’s a constant threat going forward. Gordon is direct, aggressive, and always willing to take defenders on. The production backs it up too: 12 goal involvements in 12 Champions League appearances this season. At 8/5 to score or assist at Wembley, the value is simply too strong to ignore.
Bet 2: England to Win to Nil
England come into this one as 4/7 favourites, and they’ll be fully aware that a step up in performance is required. There’s still plenty of top-end talent in the squad, now complemented by the likes of Gordon, which only strengthens the case for a home win.
Friday’s showing against Uruguay left something to be desired, but in hindsight, it may not be a major concern. Thomas Tuchel likely already knows what he has in terms of attacking options. While control of possession matters, his primary focus could be on maintaining his team’s sound defensive structure which will be crucial heading into the World Cup.
Japan’s recent record needs context. They’ve put up big numbers against weaker sides like Indonesia and Hong Kong, but their 3-2 win over Brazil looks more like an anomaly than a trend. Strip those results back, and they’ve scored just 11 goals across nine games in the last year – largely against opposition below England’s level.
As for the home side, the broader picture is strong: 12 wins and a draw from their last 14 matches and zero goals conceded in World Cup qualifying. Friday may have been underwhelming, but overall, they remain the most likely winners here. Given their defensive reliability and Japan’s limited attacking threat, backing England to win to nil looks like a fair shout.
Bet 3: Corner Handicap – England -2
England racked up another seven corners on Friday, and they could even surpass that on Tuesday night. Their underlying numbers in this area are consistently strong, but rather than targeting totals, the value looks to lie in the handicap market.
For a side that regularly dominates corners under Thomas Tuchel, it’s surprising to see England priced at a shade of odds-on at -2 in the corner handicap. They won that battle 7-0 against Uruguay, and with the likelihood of them controlling both possession and territory again, their price at -2 looks a steal.
