England Vs Wales – Match Preview
By Tom Clayton
The Three Lions will progress to the round of 16 as winners of group B on Tuesday evening they gather all three points from Wales – who lost their prior game 2-0 to Iran. A back seat was taken in schools and work in Friday’s 10 am kick-off which subsequently showed a poor display from Wales. This was then followed by a performance on par with the Wales loss as England suffered a draw to the United States.
Wales’s number one Wayne Hennessey will miss the match against England following his high kick on Iran’s Mehdi Taremi which saw him receive the first red card of the tournament. Bottom of the table with just one point to their name, Wales must beat England with a shot of qualification into the round of 16. A win does not guarantee qualification for Wales as they will be playing in anticipation of Iran drawing against the United States. Anything less than a win for Wales will see them crashing out of Qatar and anything more than a draw for either Iran or USA will mean Wales have to thrash England by a four-goal margin, a tough game ahead.
Wales never looked like threatening Iran on Friday and had to dig deep to get a draw against the US. Wales manager Rob Page described his team’s loss against Iran as being “not acceptable” we will have to see a much better performance from Wales if they want to advance into the latter stages. Despite the passion from the Welsh fans, it has not been reciprocated on the pitch as Wales are seven matches without a win in all competitions. Without a win against England on Tuesday, it would be the first time in history that Wales would have gone through a World Cup without a win. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and that comes in the form of England’s recent performance against the USA which Wales will hope to capitalise on.
Gareth Southgate’s men suffered a 0-0 defeat against the US, not a draw to the England fans, but a defeat. Much more is needed from his side on Tuesday in which we will see a repeat of a local derby that we saw in Euro 2020 against Scotland. A draw is enough for England to progress but after the performance last Friday, the fans will be hoping for a win.
Tuesday’s game will be a special occasion for England as they have never faced a British side in the World Cup. The pundits are predicting a spicy game that will see no love lost between the two sides.
Team Form:
Wales: D L
England: W D
Team news:
Wales –
Danny Ward is expected to start after a suspension to Wayne Hennessey who will be hoping to build upon good recent performances for Leicester City.
Wales has no new injury concerns. Bale and Ramsey are expected to start as they can produce that one moment of magic that Wales are hoping for. Dan James will be looking to test the England backline with his pace, he is expected to be in contention to start.
England –
Stubborn Southgate is expected to hold firm with his selection after he insisted golden boy winner Phil Foden will have a pivotal role in this World Cup. “We love Phill, he is a super player” Southgate told ITV and then went on to say that England required something a little different against the USA.
There is no news on Champions League and Premier League winner Trent Alexander-Arnold who has been invisible this tournament so far with him being left in the toolbox. Kyle Walker has returned to fitness which could see Kieran Trippier vacate the right-back spot.
Despite an injury concern for Harry Kane, the marksman is expected to feature against Wales as he is still looking for his first goal of the World Cup.
Southgate has hinted at a Henderson start to the delight of England fans who I will remind you are yet to see Foden play.
Maddison is back from injury which could see him feature in the game.