Tuesday, October 15, 2013

England vs Poland


Just 90 minutes of football is all that separates Roy Hodgson's England and qualification for next year's World Cup in Brazil.

A victory for the Three Lions over Poland at Wembley on Tuesday night will guarantee their participation in the tournament, while a draw or a loss is unlikely to be enough for the leaders because Ukraine, who sit second, take on minnows San Marino.

Hodgson has been tipped to stick largely with the side that defeated Montenegro 4-1 on Friday evening, although a chance at right-back is required because Kyle Walker is suspended. Phil Jones is expected to deputise in place of the Tottenham Hotspur defender.

Following his goalscoring debut last time out, Spurs winger Andros Townsend should keep his place, so the only other potential alteration could see either Jack Wilshere or Michael Carrick come in for Frank Lampard in midfield.

Meanwhile, Poland, who can no longer qualify, are expected to start with Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski as a lone frontman.

These two nations have met on 18 previous occasions, with the Poles only claiming victory once. However, they did famously deny England a place at the 1974 World Cup by holding out for a 1-1 draw at Wembley.

Recent form

England: DDWWDW

Poland: WDWDWL

Possible starting lineups

England: Hart; Jones, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines; Gerrard, Lampard, Townsend, Welbeck; Sturridge, Rooney

Poland: Boruc; Wojtkowiak, Jedrzejczyk, Szukala, Glik; M Lewandowski, Blaszczykowski, lich, Sobota, Krychowiak; R Lewandowski

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