Internationals: Euro 2020 favourites England face tough tests this week

Internationals: Euro 2020 favourites England face tough tests this week

England's friendly against Wales, followed by a Nations League match against Belgium, will tell us a lot about Gareth Southgate's team says Max Liu in his pick of the week's international matches...

England take on Wales at Wembley on Thursday in an eagerly anticipated friendly which will allow both teams to make preparations for next summers European Championships.

It will be the first time the teams have met since Euro 2016 when England were 2-1 winners. The Welsh went on to have the better tournament, however, and reached the semi-finals.

England 1.35 are firm favourites on THursday, although regardless of the result, Gareth Southgate and Ryan Giggs will both welcome the chance to have a look at their players and gauge their sides' progress.

England were insipid in last month's Nations League matches against Iceland and Denmark. They were also dogged by off the field problems and Southgate will be hoping for better all round.

Worthy Euro 2020 favourites?

Playing Wales on Thursday, followed by Sunday's Nations League fixture against Belgium, should tells us a lot about whether England 6.40 warrant their status as favourites to win next summer's postponed Euro 2020 tournament.

The Belgians 6.80 are second favourites in the Euros outright betting - followed by World Champions France 7.40, Germany 8.00 and Spain [10.4] - and Roberto Martinez's men will be difficult opponents for England.

Before England play, however, there are 12 friendlies on Wednesday.

Portugal v Spain looks like the pick on paper, as Iberian derbies are usually dramatic, and both managers have named strong squads.

Cristiano Ronaldo should lead the line for the hosts after scoring his 100th and 101st international goals last time out.

For Spain, meanwhile, it's a chance to give more experience to Ansu Fati, the promising Barcelona forward who became his country's youngest ever score in last month's win over Ukraine.

Also on Wednesday, Germany v Turkey and France against a Ukraine team managed by Andriy Schevchenko look promising, as does the Netherlands, now under the management of Frank de Boer, against Mexico.