England vs Czech Republic
Euro 2020 qualifying
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Date: Friday, 22 March, 2019
Kick-off: 7:45pm GMT
England kick off their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a home tie against Czech Republic under the Friday night lights of Wembley.
Gareth Southgate's Three Lions are still riding a wave of euphoria following their dramatic qualification for the Uefa Nations League Finals back in November, and Friday night's match is one of two games to prepare for this summer's finals in France.
But while another potentially glorious summer awaits, Southgate will be keen for his players to focus on the task at hand and ensure they pick up three points before Monday's trip to Montenegro.
England squad, team news and predicted line-up
Callum Hudson-Odoi and James Ward-Prowse has been called up after Fabian Delph, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, John Stones and Luke Shaw withdrew through injury.
The England squad arrived at St George's Park on Monday, but the initial 25-man squad named last week has become a group of 21 due to injuries.
Delph, Loftus-Cheek, Stones and Shaw have all pulled out through injury, leading Southgate to turn to in-form Southampton midfielder Ward-Prowse and Hudson-Odoi - despite the Chelsea winger having never started a Premier League game for Chelsea.
There has been speculation that Jordan Henderson would be pulling out of the England squad with the ankle injury that forced him off against Bayern Munich in last week's Champions League quarter-final.
The Liverpool captain missed Sunday's win at Fulham but Jurgen Klopp cleared him for international duty afterwards, but Anfield team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold had withdrawn through injury.
West Ham's rising star Declan Rice is in line for a debut cap after earning his first call-up, while Marcus Rashford is out with an ankle injury. That could mean a start for Jadon Sancho.
England squad
Goalkeepers: Tom Heaton, Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford
Defenders: Ben Chilwell, Michael Keane, Harry Maguire, Danny Rose, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, James Tarkowski
Midfielders: Ross Barkley, Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Harry Kane, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling, Callum Wilson, Callum Hudson-Odoi
Predicted line-up: Pickford, Walker, Maguire, Keane, Rose, Barkley, Dier, Alli, Sancho, Kane, Sterling
Score prediction: England 2-0 Czech Republic
Czech Republic failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, but finished second in their Nations League B group behind Ukraine.
Southgate will be wary of a potential home shock, but England have enough quality to see off this challenge without too much trouble.
England vs Czech Republic tickets
Tickets for the match are currently sold out. Click here for more information from The FA's website.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- England to win: 2/9
- Draw: 15/4
- Czech Republic win: 10/1
First goalscorer odds
- Harry Kane: 21/10
- Marcus Rashford: 3/1
- Raheem Sterling: 9/2
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
The match will be televised for absolutely free on ITV, while viewers can also live stream the match online for free via the ITV Hub.
You can follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog from Wembley.
