SM
Watford vs. Oxford Utd: 1 hr 40 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Off-field issues and all change on pitch? Talking points before Poland-England

:Headline: Off-field issues and all change on pitch? Talking points before Poland-England:
The Three Lions continue their bid to reach Qatar 2022 with a Group I clash in Warsaw on Wednesday.
Sports Mole

England face Poland in Warsaw on Wednesday night looking to make it three wins from three games this month.

The Three Lions have beaten Hungary and Andorra so far in September to maintain their unbeaten start to World Cup qualification.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the key talking points ahead of the Group I encounter in the Polish capital.

Off-field worries

Raheem Sterling was among the England players targeted with monkey chants during the win in Hungary (Attila Trenka/PA)

Hungary were hit with FIFA charges after monkey chants were aimed at England's black players during last Thursday's 4-0 win in Budapest. There will be concerns that similar incidents could potentially occur in Warsaw, with Poland having had sanctions in the past for racist offences. England's players will again take the knee before kick-off in their now-familiar stance against all forms of discrimination and – with no away fans officially in attendance – the reaction to the gesture is expected to be largely negative.

All change?

Southgate saved his big-hitters to bring off the bench in the win over Andorra (Nick Potts/PA)

Gareth Southgate made 11 changes to his starting line-up for Sunday's 4-0 win over Andorra, the first time since 1982 that an England team has been completed altered from one game to the next. He turned to the likes of Harry Kane, Jack Grealish and Mason Mount to come off the bench and make sure of the victory last time out and the trio will be expecting recalls in Warsaw. Other regular starters are also likely to be drafted back into the team as England prepare to face their closest rivals in the group.

Kane aiming for net gains

Despite coming off the bench against Andorra, there was still time for Kane to score his 40th England goal when converting a late penalty. That drew the England captain level with Michael Owen in the all-time leading goalscorer charts for the Three Lions. A goal against Poland would move Kane into outright fifth place, with Jimmy Greaves (44) the next man in his sights.

Keep it tight

England's goalkeepers have been hard to beat in 2021 (Nick Potts/PA)

England broke their consecutive clean sheet record when Jordan Pickford and his defenders kept Ukraine at bay in the quarter-final of Euro 2020. It meant a run of seven games without conceding for Southgate's side, who have let in just three goals in their last 15 matches. Another record can fall in Poland, with England needing one more clean sheet to break their record in a single year – which currently stands at 11 back in 1966.

Lew Order

That 2-1 win earlier in the year was England's most difficult challenge in Group I so far. This clash will prove a sterner a test given it is away from home and with captain and record goalscorer Robert Lewandowski available for Poland. The Bayern Munich striker suffered a knee injury in the build-up to the Wembley game but will be keen to once again show his ability this time around.

body check tags ::

amp_article__462629 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-09-07 13:01:31:
html db last update - 2021-09-07 13:01:31 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Harry Kane

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
EM
Read Next:
England boss Gareth Southgate guarding against complacency ahead of Poland clash
>


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 Harry Kane Gareth Southgate Jordan Pickford Mason Mount Jack Grealish Robert Lewandowski Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
England boss Gareth Southgate guarding against complacency ahead of Poland clash
"I agree" - Van Nistelrooy makes striker admission amid Hojlund, Zirkzee struggles

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
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

Can Chelsea learn from Arsenal mistakes? Ex-scout suggests next phase for Estevao

1

CC

Double reunion in doubt? Arteta gives Rice, Havertz injury updates before Chelsea

2

DR

Preview: FC Twente vs. Ajax - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PF

Preview: Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona - prediction, team news, lineups

4

PR

Preview: Nott'm Forest vs. Newcastle - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PN

Preview: Chelsea vs. Arsenal - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PC

Amorim receives major injury boost ahead of Man United arrival

7

AR

Cubarsi to play in a mask? Predicted Barcelona XI vs. Real Sociedad

8

CT

Will Chelsea or Arsenal win five-goal spectacular? Premier League GW11 predictions

9

WC

Preview: Le Havre vs. Reims - prediction, team news, lineups

10

PL


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