By Graham Ruthven
Qualification formality
Thomas Tuchel is only one win away from attaining his first goal as England supervisor – efficiently guiding The Three Lions to the 2026 World Cup.
After all, this doesn’t start to stipulate the temporary Tuchel was handed as England head coach, however they should be in it to win it and the German could be comparatively glad with how his crew has cruised by means of Group Okay thus far.
The 5-0 away win over Serbia in England’s final aggressive sport was the perfect end result and efficiency of Tuchel’s tenure up to now. Friday’s 3-0 pleasant win over Wales was one other demonstration of the expertise inside the nationwide crew.
Latvia’s solely win in World Cup qualifying got here in opposition to Andorra with the 137th-ranked crew on the earth missing a lot in the best way of match-winning high quality on the elite stage.
Tuesday’s match in Riga threatens to be a one-sided affair. Certainly, if England play to their full potential they might clinch World Cup qualification with aplomb.
Key gamers
Morgan Rogers caught the attention within the 3-0 win over Wales and will maintain his place within the beginning lineup for Tuesday’s match in opposition to Latvia though there’s competitors from Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden and Morgan Gibbs-White.
Bukayo Saka, like Rogers, discovered the again of the online and is anticipated to start out in Riga with the Arsenal winger a key determine for The Three Lions on the best aspect.
Harry Kane may return to the fold after lacking the pleasant in opposition to Wales by means of harm. The Bayern Munich striker has netted 21 targets in all competitions for membership and nation this season.
Marcus Rashford may clean up England’s ahead line on the left aspect with the on-loan Manchester United winger in good kind at membership stage for Barcelona proper now.
Declan Rice will anchor issues within the centre of the pitch whereas Elliot Anderson may begin having impressed in his performances for England up to now.
Vladislavs Gutkovskis discovered the again of the online in Latvia’s 2-2 draw in opposition to Andorra and has the bodily presence to unsettle England.
Nevertheless, Latvia will probably discover it tough to present Gutkovskis a lot service, placing stress on the likes of Dmitrijs Zelenkovs, Aleksejs Saveljevs and Renars Varslavans to supply safety within the center.
Staff information
Ollie Watkins has left the England squad by means of harm whereas Kane continues to be carrying an ankle harm picked up in his remaining Bayern Munich look earlier than the worldwide break.
Jareel Quansah has additionally withdrawn from consideration by means of harm, though Marc Guéhi and John Stones have been at all times prone to begin collectively in central defence.
Paolo Nicolato may rejig his Latvia crew from the 2-2 draw in opposition to Andorra in an try and make his aspect extra strong defensively in opposition to the ball contemplating England will dominate possession.
Raivis Jurkovskis may very well be dropped in favour of the extra defence-minded Roberts Veips who would give Latvia extra presence within the again three. In any other case, the hosts have a totally match and obtainable squad to select from.
Prediction
England aren’t know for making it look straightforward in main tournaments, however getting there was a relative breeze for a great few years now. With the Three Lions not having conceded a lot as a aim on this qualifying group and with Jordan Pickford on a run of three clear sheets for his nation, we’re anticipating a snug World Cup place-sealing win for the away aspect: Latvia 0-3 England.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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