England will begin their journey to Qatar on Thursday when they welcome San Marino to Wembley Stadium in their first match of Group I.
The Three Lions have won all six of their previous meetings with San Marino, scoring an average six goals per outing. San Marino’s only goal against England came in the opening minute of a World Cup qualifier in 1993, which their opponents eventually went on to win 7-1.
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England endured a tough autumn and come into this fixture having lost to both Denmark and Belgium in the UEFA Nations League. However, they did beat Iceland 4-0 in their most recent fixture.
Meanwhile, San Marino drew 0-0 with Gibraltar last year and have not scored since November 2019 where they lost 3-1 to Kazakhstan.
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Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game.
When is the match?
The game kicks off at 7:45pm on Thursday 25 March.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be televised live on ITV from 7:15pm.
What is the team news?
Gareth Southgate is likely to give game time to younger fringe players in this match, such as Jude Bellingham and Ollie Watkins, the latter of which will be hoping to earn his first start for the national side.
England’s attack is looking depleted following injuries to Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho, Tammy Abraham, Harvey Barnes and Danny Ings, but that should not be a problem for England in this match.
Nick Pope will also be filling in for Jordan Pickford in goal, while Luke Shaw’s recent impressive performances for Manchester United should see him start on the left-hand side of defence.
San Marino will simply hope to keep the score down and play their most experienced players. Elia Benedettini will probably start in goal, while Nicola Nanni is likely to lead the line. Only two players in the squad have ever scored at international level, Mirko Palazzi and Filippo Berardi netting once apiece.
Line-ups
England: Pope, James, Stones, Coady, Chilwell, Phillips, Ward-Prowse, Mount, Lingard, Sterling, Calvert-Lewin
San Marino (predicted): E. Benedettini, Battistini, Brolli, Simoncini, Palazzi, Gasperoni, Golinucci, Tomassini, Berardi, Vitaoli, Nanni
Odds
England – 1/250
Draw – 50/1
San Marino – 100/1
Prediction
England will certainly ease to a victory here, but Southgate will be looking at how the younger players will adapt to international play. He could also use his full number of substitutions. The Three Lions will be in control of the match, and are likely to be up two or three goals by half time.
England’s only problem will be to avoid injury, and will probably treat this game as more of a training match with a slow pace. England 7-0 San Marino.
