England begin the long road to Qatar on Thursday as they play San Marino in their first qualifier for the 2022 World Cup.
Gareth Southgate’s men will of course be overwhelming favourites against a nation who have not won an international match since 2004, and have never won a qualifier of any sort.
England vs San Marino LIVE: World Cup qualifier latest score, goals and updates
England’s own form isn’t particularly impressive, however, with defeats to Denmark and Belgium last year in the Nations League. Even so, this will be little more than a training exercise, with the first goal usually the most difficult to find in this type of fixture.
Fringe players and subs looking to impress will be the biggest weapon at the disposal of the manager, as they look to impact on the international scene and push their claims in more important, well-matched games in future.
READ MORE:
- A lost generation of future footballers
- Lewis Hamilton ‘being used’ by Black Lives Matter, claims Bernie Ecclestone
- Rio Ferdinand identifies Frank Lampard’s key mistake that led to Chelsea sacking
- ‘It’s nice that it’s just the norm for us’: Life in the most gender equal sport on the planet
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.
