SM
Man City vs. Spurs: 18 hrs 7 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

The big talking points ahead of this week's friendly fixtures

:Headline: The big talking points ahead of this week's friendly fixtures:
Nations are finalising their preparations for this summer's delayed European Championship.
Sports Mole

As teams put the finishing touches to their preparations for Euro 2020, the PA news agency takes a look at a selection of talking points ahead of Wednesday's international friendly matches.

England getting used to fans again with home advantage pivotal

England will play in front of their own fans again at the Riverside Stadium (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium will be the setting as the Three Lions play two warm-up games against Austria (June 2) and Romania (June 6). Capacity has been capped at 25 per cent, due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions, so more than 8,000 fans will be allowed to attend each match, which will surely prove a massive boost for players following almost a season of silence in empty stadia in the Premier League. England will play all three of their group games at Wembley, with one of the semi-finals and the final also scheduled to be played at the national stadium, so the groundswell of support Gareth Southgate's side will receive as one of the host nations could prove a huge factor in the tournament itself.

Will Harry Kane's future be a distraction?

It has been reported that Harry Kane wants to leave Tottenham this summer (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

England captain Harry Kane heads into the game with ongoing uncertainty about his Tottenham future. Should the 27-year-old feature against Austria it will be the first time we have seen him on a football pitch since last month's reports that he wants to leave Spurs this summer. The continued speculation could be a cause for concern for Southgate, who will need his talisman and 2018 World Cup Golden Boot-winner firing on all cylinders heading into Euro 2020.

Youngsters set for Scotland debuts?

Celtic's David Turnbull could be set for his first Scotland cap (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour, Rangers right-back Nathan Patterson and Celtic midfielder David Turnbull were included in the Scotland squad to widespread approval. Gilmour and Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay will not be involved against Holland in Portugal on Wednesday, having competed in the Champions League and Europa League finals respectively, so Tartan Army boss Steve Clarke could give first caps to Patterson and Turnbull.

Will Wales risk walking wounded?

Aaron Ramsey has had an injury-interrupted season at Juventus (Nick Potts/PA)

Robert Page, in charge of Wales in the absence of Ryan Giggs, must decide whether he gives minutes to several key players who are heading towards the European Championship under an injury cloud when his team play world champions France. Aaron Ramsey has endured a season of niggling injuries at Juventus and has started only three of his country's last 23 games. Fellow midfielder Joe Allen has not played since suffering calf/hamstring injuries while on international duty in March. Full-back Ben Davies has not played since March 21 after suffering a calf injury playing for Tottenham.

Expect Germany to bounce back

Germany's surprise defeat to North Macedonia left head coach Joachim Low with much to ponder (Brian Lawless/PA)

After a shock 2-1 home defeat to North Macedonia in World Cup qualification last time out, Joachim Low's team will be looking for an immediate return to winning ways against Denmark. Along with new additions to the squad such as Bayern Munich youngster Jamal Musiala, Low has also recalled the likes of Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels as he looks to restore a winning mentality ahead of a tough Euro 2020 opener against France in a group that also includes defending champions Portugal. Victory against the in-form Danes would provide the perfect fillip heading into the competition.

body check tags ::

amp_article__449833 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-06-01 16:12:35:
html db last update - 2021-06-01 16:12:35 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Share this article now:
AR
Read Next:
Robert Page urges caution over Welsh trio's fitness
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Gareth Southgate Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Robert Page urges caution over Welsh trio's fitness
Chelsea targeting move for Ipswich hotshot with 'exceptional transfer metrics'
Man United 'planning stunning swap deal' for Inter's prolific striker Martinez
Confirmed draw, fixtures for UEFA Nations League knockout stage and playoffs

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Who is Europe's top league scorer in 2024?

NEW

1

WI

Team News: Celta Vigo vs. Barcelona injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

2

TN

Preview: Holstein Kiel vs. Mainz - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PH

Will Shaw, Yoro, Mainoo play? Amorim addresses Man United squad ahead of Ipswich clash

4

WS

Preview: Ipswich vs. Man Utd - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PI

Will Amorim win first game in charge of Man United? Premier League GW12 predictions

6

WA

Ipswich vs. Man Utd: Head-to-head record and past meetings

7

IV

Will Gyokeres, Quenda arrive? Amorim discusses Man United transfer strategy

8

WG

Will Phillips return? Predicted Ipswich XI vs. Man United

9

WP

Cause for concern? Why Chelsea may be pessimistic ahead of Leicester clash

10

CF


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .