SM
Tuesday, November 12
Upcoming predictions and previews

The big talking points ahead of England's clash with Poland

:Headline: The big talking points ahead of England's clash with Poland: ID:441224: from db_amp
Gareth Southgate's team have made a good start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.

England host Poland in a World Cup qualification clash at Wembley on Wednesday night.

Gareth Southgate has seen his side win their opening two Group I fixtures and will be keen to sign off from the March international break with a hat-trick of victories.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the key talking points ahead of the game.

Last chance to make a case for Euros

Wednesday's match is the last time England will play before Southgate names his squad for the rescheduled European Championship finals.

There are several positions still up for grabs and those players not yet assured of a place in Southgate's final selection will be keen to catch the eye.

With almost three months to go until a ball is kicked at Euro 2020, even those who may be on the fringes of Southgate's thinking will want to go out with a bang – as injuries and issues are likely to hit before the summer.

Who is in Pole position to replace Lewandowski?

Robert Lewandowski will not be playing at Wembley on Wednesday (Adam Davy/PA)

Poland will be looking for their first win over England since 1973 – but will be without captain and all-time leading goalscorer Robert Lewandowski.

The Bayern Munich striker was forced to pull out of the game with a knee injury, having scored three goals in Poland's opening two Group I games.

In the absence of their talisman, the onus for goals in the Poland side will fall on his strike partner Arkadiusz Milik – who has scored 15 times in 58 caps but has found the back of the net just once in his last nine international appearances.

Pope praying for another quiet night

Another clean sheet would suit Nick Pope (Adrian Dennis/PA)

Nick Pope became the first England goalkeeper to keep six clean sheets in his first six appearances as the Three Lions won 2-0 in Albania on Sunday.

The Burnley goalkeeper has been told he will start again against Poland as, with Jordan Pickford injured, he is given a chance to stake his claim for the number one spot.

The absence of Lewandowski should help him in his quest to enjoy a seventh straight shut-out, but he may expect to be busier than previously – having only faced seven shots on target across his previous six caps.

Three and easy at the back for England?

Conor Coady is an option at the back for England (Adam Davy/PA)

Southgate has operated with a back four in the first two World Cup qualifiers but has always said his side are equally capable of going in with a three-man defence.

As the Poland fixture is the most difficult of the three March internationals, whatever approach Southgate opts for on Wednesday could be seen as his preferred system heading into the Euros.

He certainly has enough options to move to a three, with Conor Coady adept in that system and Kyle Walker having played on the right of a defensive trio at the World Cup.

Mason able to keeping Mounting his case

Mason Mount scored against Albania (Florian Abazaj/PA)

Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount has started England's last seven games as he continues to impress at international level.

Southgate is a keen fan despite there being criticism of Mount's continued inclusion in the starting line-up – but the 22-year-old is available for the Poland game after an initial fitness worry on Tuesday morning.

"He didn't warm up with the rest of the team but did the session after so he should be fine," Southgate said.

amp_article__441224 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-03-30 18:32:43:
html db last update - 2021-03-30 18:32:43 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
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.



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