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European Championship | Qualifiers
Oct 12, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
EN

0-3

 
FT(HT: 0-2)
Barkley (29'), Arlauskis (35' og.), Oxlade-Chamberlain (62')

Preview: Lithuania vs. England

:Headline: Preview: Lithuania vs. England: ID:251919: from db_amp
Sports Mole looks ahead to England's final Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania, where they will go in search of their 10th victory in succession.

England may have already booked their place at next summer's European Championships in France, yet they still have something to play for when they take on Lithuania at the LFF Stadium in Vilnius tomorrow night.

Roy Hodgson's men have taken maximum points from their first nine qualifying matches, so victory against their hosts in what is their final Group E encounter will seal a 100% winning record.


Lithuania

The Lithuanians have never previously played at a European Championships and any chance of them halting that sequence was brought to an end last time out when they drew 1-1 away in Slovenia.

It was a result that has left Igoris Pankratjevas's men with 10 points and in fifth position in Group E, just one place above the hapless San Marino.

It means that a defeat against the Three Lions would see Lithuania stay in that spot, although a victory or draw could elevate them up to fourth dependent on the result that Estonia, who currently occupy that position, achieve against Switzerland.

Nevertheless, following the draw with Slovenia, Pankratjevas insisted that he was pleased with the way that his players had performed.

"[It was] a positive result for us due to the fact that we played with a disciplined defence and all played very selflessly. I am happy because the team did not give in, because to concede a goal just before the end of the first half is not easy psychologically," he said.

"During the break I told the players we will have our chance. Our young team was playing against strong opponents and gained good experiences."

In terms of their recent home form, Lithuania have struggled for positive results, having won just two of the previous seven games that they have hosted.

Recent form: LLLLWD
Recent form (all competitions): LLLLWD


England

A win from this fixture will see Hodgson's team become only the sixth nation in history to win all of their European Championship qualifying matches.

Not only that, England are the only country in this year's qualification campaign to have won each of their nine outings.

The latest win came against Estonia on Friday night at Wembley, with goals towards the end of each half from Theo Walcott and Raheem Sterling securing a 2-0 triumph.

With high profile pre-Euro 2016 friendlies to come against Spain, France and Germany, Hodgson recently conceded that the trip to Lithuania could well be the final chance for those on the periphery of the squad to make an impression.

England's positive record away from home in European Championship qualifiers actually extends to eight matches, with seven victories and one draw having been collected during that period, dating back to a defeat in Russia eight years ago.

On a personal note, Lithuania will hold positive memories for Harry Kane, who scored on his senior international debut against them in March having only been on the pitch for 80 seconds as a second-half substitute.

Recent form: WWWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): DDWWWW


Team News

Hodgson has already confirmed that senior players Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Joe Hart, Gary Cahill and James Milner will all be rested for this clash.

It means that goalkeeper Jack Butland will come in between the posts for what will be his second international cap, while Swansea City's Jonjo Shelvey will also feature in midfield.

The omissions of Rooney, Cahill and Hart will also mean that Hodgson has to select a new captain, which is likely to be between Phil Jagielka and Chris Smalling.

Meanwhile, the Lithuanian attack is expected to be spearheaded by 21-year-old striker Lukas Spalvis, who has two international goals to his name.

Lithuania possible starting lineup:
Zubas; Freidgeimas, Zaliukas, Klimavicius, Slavickas; Zulpa, Panka, Novikovas, Cernych, Slivka; Splavis

England possible starting lineup:
Butland; Walker, Jagielka, Jones, Bertrand; Shelvey, Lallana, Barkley; Vardy, Walcott, Kane


Head To Head

The first ever meeting between these two nations was the encounter in which Kane opened his account at senior international level.

Also on the scoresheet in the 4-0 win for England at Wembley was skipper Rooney, as well as Sterling and Danny Welbeck.


We say: Lithuania 0-1 England

It could well be another uninspiring evening watching England, but Hodgson's men should - despite the changes - have just enough quality within their ranks to make it the perfect 10.



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