Malta vs. England Bet Builder Tips: 45/1 punt on Friday's EURO 2024 qualifier

First meet last in EURO 2024's Group C qualifier on Friday as minnows Malta take on England at the Ta' Qali National Stadium.

We've highlighted two player prop selections which when combined offer a 45/1 poke that will hopefully make following the game a little more enjoyable!

With a relatively quick turnaround between the conclusion of the club football season and the reintegration of international duties, Gareth Southgate is not expected to field his strongest XI on Friday. One anticipated mainstay, however, is Declan Rice. Since being handed his senior debut back in 2019, the midfielder has cemented himself into the foundations of this England team.

While speculation about Declan Rice's next club continues to bubble, the 24-year-old is the type of figure whose game will remain unaffected by any outside noise. And while Rice may not be the first name you associate with business in the opposition half, there's reason to believe he can keep increasing his output in this department.

The Hammers' captain netted five times for his club across two different competitions last term, delivering an array of goals both inside and outside of the box. His confidence in driving the ball forward between transitions has become one staple of his game, but we've also seen him arrive in the final 18 yards of opposition space more frequently this term.

England have seen nine different names etched onto the scoresheet since the beginning of the 2022 World Cup, with Rice being one of those in the Three Lions' EURO 2024 qualifier with Italy. That makes it three goals for him in an England jersey now, and there's every reason to believe he will get the opportunity to add to that tally against a Malta side who will look to batten down the hatches and survive vs England.

The second leg of our 45/1 bet builder turns to Conor Gallagher who we are backing to pick up a yellow card.

Despite only featuring 16 times from the off for Chelsea in the Premier League last term, the combative midfielder received nine cautions, averaging out at 0.3 yellows per game.

He collected a total of 12 bookings across three different competitions, also finishing with the second highest league total of fouls committed for Chelsea with 35.

Gallagher is likely to get the nod alongside Rice in England's central midfield and only knows one way of playing: aggressively.

If he is to make a significant impact and increase the number of minutes he's being offered in the England setup, he's going to need to make a statement when given the chance.

That should result in a few hard tackles and a couple of careless judgements which could well see him entered into the referee's book.

At a bumper 45/1 - with the same bet just 17/1 at Paddy Power/Betfair - this price is simply too big to ignore a small punt on.