Each nations have began their qualifying campaigns off solidly. England have received all 5 of their fixtures to date, scoring 13 targets and conceding zero as they bid to succeed in an eighth successive World Cup.
Wales at the moment occupy third place in Group J, nonetheless, they’ve solely misplaced as soon as in 5 matches and sit only one level behind leaders North Macedonia.
Craig Bellamy will likely be seeking to snap Wales’ seven recreation winless streak towards England, a run that stretches all the way in which again to 1984.
Certainly, since a 2-1 victory over England within the British Dwelling Championship in 1955, Wales have defeated their rivals on simply three events – 1977, 1980 and 1984.
Workforce information
Reece James was pressured to withdraw from the England squad on Monday after sustaining an damage throughout Chelsea’s win over Liverpool on the weekend.
Noni Madueke and Tino Livramento are each sidelined due to damage, however Declan Rice will likely be match, regardless of limping off towards West Ham final week.
Thomas Tuchel not noted Jude Bellingham, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden from his newest squad, sparking rumours that there was maybe a rift between the German and Bellingham.
He was fast to dispel that, nonetheless, stating that he had no subject with the Actual Madrid midfielder: “To make it absolutely clear, we are able to have the identical concord, the identical degree of efficiency with him.”
There is no such thing as a such controversy within the Wales squad. Bellamy will likely be with out influential determine Aaron Ramsey because of damage. Elsewhere, winger Dan James can be absent from the squad.
Other than that, there aren’t any additional damage points.
Wales may have one eye on Belgium conflict
Whereas Bellamy will likely be seeking to seal a historic victory at Wembley, the supervisor absolutely has one eye on the qualifying tie towards Belgium simply 4 days later.
A victory towards the Belgians may give the nation a significant enhance of their probabilities of qualifying for back-to-back World Cups.
Will Bellamy sacrifice the possibility to get one over on England to be able to safe three factors on Monday night? Solely time will inform.
Tuchel eyes additional progress with England
Protected to say, the German didn’t take pleasure in the most efficient of begins with England. Throughout his first 5 matches, England scored simply 9 targets and suffered a 3-1 defeat to Senegal in June.
Since then, England have defeated Andorra, earlier than placing of their best efficiency but underneath Tuchel, with a chic 5-0 win over Serbia in Belgrade.
One other optimistic show towards Wales will additional reveal that maybe Tuchel is the precise man to information England to silverware subsequent summer season on the World Cup.
Prediction
Whereas each groups have extra essential video games on the horizon, Wales’ conflict with Belgium holds extra significance in comparison with England’s match towards Latvia.
As such, anticipate the house facet to safe a comparatively simple 2-0 win at Wembley.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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