14/1 Rashford to Start Against Iran – A Good Bet?

We have a little over a month until the 2022 World Cup gets underway in Qatar and as the tournament draws closer, we’ll see managers of the 32 nations announce their final squads.

Gareth Southgate is expected to name England’s World Cup squad on Thursday 10th November, just 10 days before the competition begins. However, his provisional squad should be released earlier and we are expecting a list of players to be revealed on or around Thursday 20th October. England are included in many World Cup Winner tips at odds of 17/2 and Southgate will need to name the strongest squad possible to justify that somewhat short price.

Southgate will already have a reasonably good idea of the squad he is taking to Qatar but there are a few names that could go either way.

One of those is Marcus Rashford who has missed England’s most recent two Nations League matches against Italy and Germany due to injury. Rashford was tipped to be included in Southgate’s squad for those games but his absence has left doubt on whether he will be travelling to Qatar.

Southgate Needs In-Form Players

However, since returning from injury, Rashford has scored twice for United with both goals coming in their Europa League match at home to Cypriot side, Omonia. He’s also bagged three goals and two assists in six league appearances for Manchester United and was unlucky to have a goal ruled out for handball in United’s latest victory away to Everton.

There’s no doubt that Rashford is showing much better form compared to last season and it’s likely that Southgate will want to take as many in-form players with him to the World Cup next month.

As England’s World Cup squad hasn’t yet been officially announced, there may be value in betting on some uncertainties to start in their opening match against Iran. A game that England are expected to win based on WhichBookie footy tipster Liam Johnson’s World Cup tips.

Rashford is currently at odds of 14/1 to be on the starting XI teamsheet against Iran which looks like a big price. Should Southgate confirm later this month that he is travelling with them to Qatar, that price will surely drop.

England’s Troubles

England have lacked goals in recent months and scored just four goals throughout their six Nations League games with three of those coming in their most recent match against Germany.

Although Southgate does have defensive worries currently with the unwanted predicament of who to start in central defence, there seem to also be issues at the other end of the pitch.

Rashford may or may not be the solution to that problem but he could be worth a chance during this year’s World Cup and if given minutes on the pitch, could be a player to watch given his current form.

The last time Rashford featured for England was in the Euro 2020 final, coming on in the final minute only to miss a penalty in the shootout.

He wasn’t a regular starter for England during the Euro’s, getting playing time usually towards the end of games. However, with England’s troubles at the top end of the pitch, Southgate may be looking to him for options.

Rashford A Good Bet?

At 14/1 to start against Iran, Rashford looks like a value bet. Although he hasn’t been included in our World Cup Top Goalscorer Tips, he could bag some goals if he’s given the chance.

I for one would like to see Southgate mix things up a bit as I’m sure many will agree, things haven’t been working out for his side since reaching the final of Euro 2020 last summer.