Fancy a bet on England’s World Cup chances this summer? Fancy yourself when it comes to the intricacies of knockout football?

There’s plenty of options to choose from but hopefully these tips from Owen Maers will help narrow it down.

All odds are presented by Sky Bet, you must be over 18 to participate and please gamble responsibly (https://www.begambleaware.org/)

Exact group stage points – 6 points

7/4

£5 will return £13.75 including stake

If you’re feeling sensible and slightly pessimistic then look no further.

While the returns are not staggering at a mild 7/4, this one could be a real banker, with England set to face Panama this Sunday and then Belgium to round off the group stage.

Having picked up three points against Tunisia thanks to a late Harry Kane header, England face Panama next and they should be easier to break down.

Nothing less than a win is expected here, then England face Belgium’s golden generation, who were convincing in their 3-0 demolition of Panama and could be too stern a test for Southgate’s side.

If you expect England to fail here then it’s worth putting some money on this.

Harry Kane to score 5+ goals and England to reach the quarter-finals

2/1

£5 will return £15 including stake

England captain Harry Kane stole the headlines on Monday, scoring a brace at the World Cup – the first time an England player had done this since Gary Lineker in 1990.

Somerset County Gazette:

IN FORM: Harry Kane

The Tottenham striker was in fine form this season, scoring 41 goals in all competitions and netted his first England tournament goals with style.

With two to his name already and England expected to reach the quarter-finals at a minimum, Kane could have a further four games at this tournament and you’d fancy him to net three times across these matches given his talismanic qualities.

Combine these two and you could make £10 profit if you stake £5 – it could be worth a punt.

Jesse Lingard to Assist the Most Goals

14/1

£5 will return £75 including stake

Having made his World Cup debut against Tunisia on Monday, it was simultaneously one to remember and one to forget for Jesse Lingard.

The Manchester United midfielder had a few golden chances in the first half, but came agonisingly close with a save from keeper Mouez Hassen just two minutes in and the woodwork kept him out later on.

Somerset County Gazette:

CHANCES: Jesse Lingard

The main take away from it was Lingard’s desire to run forward and find space and this sort of movement sees him create opportunities for himself and his teammates.

With Dele Alli nursing a slightly injury, Lingard should start again when England face Panama this Sunday. A couple of assists here could set him up nicely for the tournament and stake his claim as a continued starter for Gareth Southgate.  

England to win the World Cup

12/1

£5 will return £65 including stake

Dare to dream right? If World Cup fever has well and truly hit you and if you’ve been playing World In Motion and Three Lions on repeat – this is your bet.

It comes a surprise that the odds are so low, with England winning just six knockout games in the last 52 years and getting to a semi-final just once since the famed ’66.

With people believing in this England team once again and a plucky underdog spirit building, some people clearly think football could come home after all.

My advice is unfortunately to keep dreaming, there could be a few more years of hurt yet.