England vs Uruguay prediction & betting tips: Palmer to make selection case in Three Lions win | OneFootball

England take on Uruguay in a friendly at Wembley this evening, with several players looking to make an impression as they launch last-ditch bids to make the 2026 World Cup squad (7:45pm, ITV1).

While Thomas Tuchel will likely have an idea of most of the players who will be on the plane to the USA in June, the England manager will use the upcoming games to decide on the final additions to the squad in what is the last international break before the squad list is submitted in late May.

Tuchel has already made some interesting call-ups for the extended 35-man squad this month, and while names such as Harry Kane are already guaranteed a spot on the plane, previous stalwarts – including Harry Maguire and Cole Palmer – are still fighting for a place in the squad.

Fortunately for some, most players are likely to at least get a chance at showing their worth over the next few days as the Three Lions face Uruguay and then Japan.

And the depth of the England squad means Tuchel’s side will be heavy favourites for both matches on betting sites, who price them at 8/15 to win this evening versus odds of 21/4 for a Uruguay victory.

England vs Uruguay betting preview: Three Lions to ease to victory

Several key England players will be rested this week as Tuchel helps them balance their schedules towards the end of the season, but while fans will not see the likes of Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka feature tonight, this is still an England squad that should have far too much talent for Uruguay.

La Celeste – who are managed by former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa – finished fourth in South American qualifying for the World Cup, and while they performed better than the likes of Brazil and Chile, recent losses to teams including Paraguay and the USA show that this is not a team that can compete like the Uruguay of the Suarez and Cavani era.

Though the squad includes capable players such as Fede Valverde and Darwin Nunez, it will likely be too weak to challenge even a makeshift England squad, who could still boast the likes of Palmer, Foden, Rashford and Madueke this evening.

Given that it’s a friendly and it’s the England players who need to prove themselves, we are in agreement with the football betting sites on the expectation of the Three Lions winning at Wembley tonight.

In addition, considering England didn’t concede a goal in qualifying, we expect Tuchel’s makeshift defensive unit to earn a clean sheet too.

Thomas Tuchel said in the build-up to this game that “the pressure is on” Cole Palmer to play himself into the squad for the World Cup, with the 23-year-old currently on the fringes after an erratic season affected by injury.

Palmer was a star player for the Three Lions at Euro 2024 – even scoring in the final – but has only been available for one England squad under Tuchel, making just one appearance under the new England boss.

That game came in June 2025, but fast forward nine months and Palmer will once again have a chance to impress Tuchel, with the Chelsea man in a good position to start in the absence of the likes of Saka, Rogers and Bellingham.

While his club have struggled in recent weeks with losses against Everton and Newcastle, Palmer remains the heartbeat in attack, as shown with a hat-trick against Wolves and goal in the win over Villa. Overall, a return of 10 goals and three assists is a good effort considering his injury struggles.

With the 23-year-old having plenty to prove as he plays for his place on the plane to the US, expect him to rise to the occasion and be amongst the goals this evening.

Tuchel named an expanded 35-man squad for these friendlies but 11 players will be given a break for this match, based on who has had the busiest club schedules. Those players include Dean Henderson, Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.

John Stones and Jude Bellingham are both unlikely to feature as they manage respective returns from injuries, though the likes of Harry Maguire, Fikayo Tomori, Tino Livramento and Dominic Calvert-Lewin can all hope to feature.

Bet365 are offering punters their money back in free bets on all losing England vs Uruguay bet builders this evening.

To qualify for the money-back offer, put together a bet builder for the game with minimum combined odds of evens (2.0) and select the ‘use money back in free bets’ box on the bet slip before placing the wager.

If the bet builder doesn’t win, bet365 will refund all losing wagers in free bets, up to a maximum of £5.

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