Vs
Lithuania
Wembley, London
March 27th, 2015, 20:45 GMT
**********
After a thoroughly underwhelming performance at last yeara s FIFA World Cup, England have seemingly settled down into a rhythm and are playing quite well under Roy Hodgson. The Three Lions have won all four games that they have played in the Euro qualifiers and have played with style and panache.
Style and panache arena t usually things that one associates with an England team, so manager Roy Hodgson needs to be given some credit for instilling belief into this young English side.
Playing at Wembley, England have been lethal and have scored eight goals in two games, making them overwhelming favourites against Lithuania who have scored only three goals in four games in the Euro qualification campaign.
Team News & Tactics
England
When a major national team is eliminated early from a major competition, the manager has to bear the brunt of that result in general. Brazil and Italy both let their managera s leave after what they believed were poor shows at the World Cup.
Nevertheless, the England FA have done something that is rather commendable by giving manager Roy Hodgson a chance to carry on building his team. Hodgson often insists that this is a young England team
At the heart of all good things England have done recently is captain Wayne Rooney and former United team-mate Danny Welbeck. Yet, with the introduction of in-form Spursa striker Harry Kane to the squad one of those two may well be seen on the bench on Friday.
Kane has been a revelation for the London club this season, scoring 27 goals in 33 games this season. Kane is also the joint top scorer in the league this season with 19 goals in 20 starts. Only 21 years of age at the moment, Kane may be a permanent fixture in Hodgsona s side come 2016 and the Euro championships.
Also a doubt for the game is forward Raheem Sterling after the Liverpool man suffered from a slight toe injury and may not be able to play any part in the match.
Predicted Line-up (4-4-2): Hart; Clyne, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines; Henderson, Carrick, Milner; Sterling; Rooney, Kane.
Lithuania
Ahead of the game, Lithuania head coach Vytautas Andriuskevicius described playing at Wembley as a a dream come truea for many of his players. Andriuskevicius also urged his team to enjoy their time and do their best to stop the home side.
It most definitely is a mismatch on paper and Lithuania will need to pull a rabbit out of the hat to get anything from the game. That, however, has always been the case with past Lithuanian sides who have caused more than just one upset over the years.
From the year 2000 to 2006, Lithuania earned draws against major European giants including Italy, Germany and Spain. While England have all but qualified from their group, if they take their eye off the ball, it could cost them.
Predicted line-up (4-5-1): Arlauskis, Vaitk nas, Freidgeimas, Kijanskas, Zulpa, Novikovas, Matulevicius, Vicius, Chvedukas, Cernych, Stankevicius
Facts
- The two countries are locking horns for the first time at senior international level.
- England are unbeaten in 23 EURO and FIFA World Cup qualifying games (W16 D7) stretching back to a 1-0 loss to Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk on 10 October 2009. Their last competitive home defeat was a 3-2 reverse at the hands of Croatia on 21 November 2007.
- Lithuania have won only twice in their last ten competitive away fixtures, with those victories coming against San Marino and Liechtenstein.
Player To Watch Out For a Harry Kane
The Tottenham striker has been one of the best players in the premier league this season and his meteoric rise has been nothing short of magical. The striker is not only physical but has great pace and has also been lethal in front of goal. With this being his debut, he will definitely be fired up and it may be the start of something phenomenal.