England ended the international break in March with the biggest test of their three matches when they face Poland in their third World Cup qualifier on Wednesday night.
The Three Lions have made it to two wins from two so far, sending comfortably to San Marino and Albania, but are now facing their toughest match in the World Cup qualifying group and must win to prove their quality against improved competition.
Two wins from two in #WCQ. Next up for #ThreeLions: ?? pic.twitter.com/Sr6arzQ54R
– England (@England) 29 March 2021
Poland have not really hit the ground as hard as England but remain undefeated on their way into the match, with a win and a draw so far in their two qualifiers played.
Here is a 90 min preview of the collision.
When is kick off? Wednesday 31 MarchWhat time is running? 19:45 (BST)Where is it played? Wembley StadiumTV channel? ITV 1, ITV HubJudge? Björn Kuipers
It has already been confirmed that Nick Pope will start | Matthew Ashton – AMA / Getty Images
Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Nick Pope will start all three matches throughout the break, giving him the chance to put his claim before the euro. Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka withdrew from the squad without playing any games, but England are otherwise completely in shape.
Luke Shaw has easily put himself back in the lineup and performed well against Albania, and will therefore probably keep his place as well.
Robert Lewandowski will miss the match England against Poland with an injury. ? pic.twitter.com/6pK9qgaGTX
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) March 29, 2021
The big battle for Poland is the loss of talisman Robert Lewandowski, who has withdrawn from his last match with a knee injury. You can breathe again now, England fans.
Poland, however, remain strong elsewhere and can compensate for Lewandowski’s absence with Krzysztof Piatek and Arkadiusz Milik in attack. Wojciech Szczesny also returns to London.
England: Pope; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Ris, Ward-Prowse, Mount; Sterling, Kane, Foden.
Poland: Szczesny; Bereszynski, Bednarek, Glik, Rybus; Krychowiak, Mother, Jozwiak; Zielinski; Piatek, Milik.
EnglandAlbania 0-2 England – World Cup qualifier (28/3)England 5-0 San Marino – World Cup Qualifier (25/3)England 4-0 Iceland – Nations League (18/11/20) Belgium 2-0 England – Nations League (15/11/20)England 0-1 Denmark – Nations League (14/10/20)
PolandPoland 3-0 Andorra – World Cup qualifier (28/3) Hungary 3-3 Poland – World Cup qualifier (25/3)Poland 1-2 Netherlands – Nations League (18/11/20) Italy 2-0 Poland – Nations League (15/11/20)Poland 2-0 Bosnia & Herzegovina – Nations League (14/10/20)
Southgate’s next squad is the big | Pool / Getty Images
As this is the last match before England’s next meeting is ready to board the plane for Euro 2020, a win is crucial for speed – and, you know, remains top of the group in World Cup qualifiers.
These two should end up comfortably first and second in their pool, but England do not want to risk slipping into the lottery in the play-offs by finishing second, so opening an early points gap here will go a long way to help them.
No eyes are really on the 2022 tournament yet, and Southgate’s Three Lions must focus on achieving a good performance to end the break at a height. While Poland is without Lewandowski, they are still a major threat. six goals in the last two games is an impressive achievement.
The top spot in Group I is the reward for the winner of this competition, and a victory against England would be huge for Poland when it did good for a disappointing draw in their opening match. But no Lewandowski will harm them.
Prediction: England 2-1 Poland
