Preview for Latvia v England
The equation for England may be very easy: win in Latvia tomorrow and they are going to be assured a spot on the World Cup finals in the US, Canada and Mexico subsequent summer time.
Thomas Tuchel’s facet went into the present worldwide break realizing there have been varied completely different situations that might see them qualify however Serbia’s 1-0 defeat to Albania on Saturday has simplified issues.
England sit top of Group K having gained all 5 qualifiers with out conceding a purpose.
They head to Riga on the again of a 3-0 friendly defeat of Wales at Wembley on Thursday night.
It’s all coming collectively properly for Tuchel, who seems to discovered a stable method regardless of the absence of a number of high-profile gamers similar to Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish.
One man who seems indispensable for the Three Lions, nevertheless, is Arsenal’s Declan Rice.
Rice captained England in opposition to Wales within the absence of Harry Kane, who is anticipated to return from an ankle harm in opposition to Latvia.
The Arsenal midfielder is enjoying a barely extra superior position for each membership and nation this season and relishing the liberty he has been given.
“I feel now I’m extra of a box-to-box quantity eight,” he mentioned.
“The supervisor has adjusted my place at Arsenal a bit this yr to offer me a bit extra freedom to drop deeper however to additionally get within the field after I can and it’s the identical with Thomas [Tuchel].
“That basically fits me on the left facet of midfield, having the ability to get again, be an all-round motion midfielder, [which] is what I need to be.
“I’m simply having fun with my soccer and it’s one other season the place we’ve began robust with England and with a staff at Arsenal. Hopefully there’s constructive issues coming.”
Latvia are fourth within the group and, whereas they’re all however out of the equation for a play-off spot, will view this sport as a free hit in opposition to one of many European heavyweights.
They should enhance their efficiency significantly, although, from that which noticed them draw 2-2 at residence to minnows Andorra on Saturday.
Staff Information for Latvia v England
Kane is ready to come back again into the facet on the expense of Ollie Watkins, who went off at half-time in opposition to Wales after colliding with a put up.
Tuchel has been desperate to reward those that have carried out properly so he’s prone to go along with the majority of the facet that gained final Thursday.
Latvia haven’t any contemporary harm considerations following the weekend sport.
Predicted line-ups for Latvia v England
Latvia: Zviedris; Savalnieks, Balodis, Cernomordijs, Jurkovskis, Ciganiks; Zelenkovs, Varslavans; Ikaunieks; Gutkovskis, Sits
England: Pickford; Konsa, Guehi, Stones, Spence; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Rogers, Gordon; Kane
How one can watch Latvia v England: TV and on-line streams
Latvia versus England kicks off at 7.45pm tomorrow night time. It may be watched free-to-air on ITV1 and streamed on the ITVX app.
Stats for Latvia v England
- Thomas Tuchel is the third supervisor to win as many as six of his first seven video games accountable for England after Glenn Hoddle (1996-1997) and Sven-Goran Eriksson (2001 – each additionally six)
- That is solely the second ever assembly between Latvia and England, with England profitable the primary 3-0 in March earlier this yr
- Latvia final prevented defeat in opposition to a top-10 ranked nation in 2004, a 0-0 draw in opposition to Germany
Prediction for Latvia v England
This must be a routine night time for England, and one which ends in celebration with qualification secured.
The Three Lions must be too robust for Latvia and anticipate Tuchel’s facet to start out shortly and put the sport to mattress earlier than half-time.
Prediction: Latvia 0-4 England
