England Betting Tips: Four in-form Lions set to maul Australia and Italy

• England to comfortably beat Socceroos

• More Bellingham masterclasses to come

• Maddison to impress v Italy

• Read about Betfair's new 90 Minute Payout offer here

It seems like only yesterday when England were toiling, uninspired, against Ukraine before blowing the cobwebs away three days later at Hampden Park. At this time of year, international breaks come thick and fast.

Still, a lot has changed since that impressive victory in Scotland, and the four subsequent weekends has offered Gareth Southgate an even better understanding of who from his pool of players are ripping into 2023/24 with real purpose.

These four in particular are presently bang in form, each square on course to have a season of seasons.

Player #1 - Kieran Trippier

The 33-year-old has created 132 chances for Newcastle since the start of last term, an astonishing number for a full-back, even one given full license to venture forward.

His assists tally meanwhile was commendable last year but is now veering into the realms of the silly, considering the defensive duties that must always take priority.

From August, Trippier has assisted six in 10, or one every 145 minutes.

What especially intrigues about his set-ups is that his last seven have all been for headers.

At the back he remains solid, as evidenced by the scant number of times he has been dispossessed in 2023/24. Only Joelinton can out-do him in that regard in the North-East.

Indeed, when all the figures are collated, he has statistically been Newcastle's best performer to date.

Kyle Walker will presumably be given the nod next Tuesday, to better counter Italian counters, but this Friday evening England will once again turn to one of their most productive attacking outlets down the right, more so to compensate for the loss of Bukayo Saka.

Player # 2 - Jude Bellingham

It's a shame that the term 'generational talent' has previously been wasted on others, meaning it has now become an annoying cliché. Because Bellingham is the finest talent England have produced since goodness knows when.

His masterclass at Scotland's expense last month proved that, racking up figures that were obscene. A goal and an assist. Sixteen final-third passes. Five successful dribbles.

It looked like a man against boys despite the reverse being true.

Since that evening, the 20-year-old phenomenon has continued his swift elevation to legendary status at Real Madrid, with a stunning individual effort in Naples last week securing a Champions League win.

In that competition alone, he has averaged 3.5 key passes per 90.

Factor in too a pass completion rate that nestles up to 90%, plus of course 10 goals in 10 for Los Blancos, and Bellingham is bossing it across the board.

It's tempting to think he might be rested against Australia but 12 starts from the last 12 where he's been fit and available suggests that in his final year as England boss Gareth Southgate intends to play his ace at every given opportunity.

Player # 3 - James Maddison

After so long being on the periphery, Maddison has started three of England's last five fixtures, twice impressing, and with Saka out it greatly increases his chances of featuring against Italy at Wembley, with Phil Foden switched to the right.

Tasked with injecting some much-needed creativity into a previously staid Spurs set-up, their summer signing has quickly come to embody an exciting new era under Ange Postecoglou, helping to ignite their best start to any Premier League campaign.

Seven goal involvements in eight is testament to that, while six big chances created and 3.1 key passes per 90 are not to be sniffed at.
Maddison's 11th minute assist at Brentford and 17th minute strike at Bournemouth are pertinent with England developing a welcome habit recently for starting brightly in games.

68.4% of their goals post-Qatar have been converted before the break.

Player # 4 - Ollie Watkins

It will feel incredibly unjust if Watkins isn't handed a starting role on Friday evening, a chance to stake his claim to be Harry Kane's deputy next summer.

Only Erling Haaland and Kane have scored more Premier League goals than the Aston Villa striker in 2023 and revived under Unai Emery, he is flying right now. Six direct goal involvements in his last three outings suggests he will be the most confident player on the pitch if selected.

Let's not forget either that from Watkins' previous international cameos he has notched twice in 134 minutes.