England need only a point from their Group G qualifier in Montenegro on Friday night to secure their place at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine next summer.
The Three Lions are six points clear of Montenegro, who had been England's biggest rivals following a goalless draw at Wembley in October 2010. The hosts enjoyed a flying start to their campaign in Group G, but have been undermined recently after taking just one point from games against Bulgaria and Wales.
England, who are playing the 900th game in their history on Friday, have pressed home their advantage of late with success in Bulgaria and a 1-0 home victory over Wales, results that have left Fabio Capello's men on the cusp of qualification. The nation missed out on Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland following a surprise 3-2 home defeat to Croatia, however, they remain unbeaten so far in their Euro 2012 qualifiers.
England news
With Wayne Rooney certain to start for England, the question is who will partner him in attack (if anyone at all) and the foursome of Darren Bent, Danny Welbeck, Andy Carroll and Bobby Zamora are all vying for a spot. Though Bent is arguably the imcumbent, Welbeck has been in excellent form, scoring five goals in six games for United, and knows his domestic clubmate Rooney well. Bobby Zamora has also been in good club form, whereas Carroll would seem to be the least likely to start.
Capello also has a decision to make at right-back with Chris Smalling, who played at right-back for England last time out, injured. Natural right-backs Micah Richards and Kyle Walker are being challenged by the gifted Phil Jones for the position, however.
There is an array of attacking wing talent for Capello to choose from, whilst in central defence Rio Ferdinand has been left out following indifferent club form. The Gary Cahill - John Terry axis is expected to continue.
Montenegro news
England's hopes of qualifying have received a boost with Montenegro coach Branko Brnovic confirming he will rest three key players for the match in Podgorica. Brnovic, who took over from Zlatko Kranjcar last month, clearly has one eye on next week's game away to Switzerland, when a draw would ensure Montenegro finish as Group G runners-up irrespective of the result against England.
He has eight players only one yellow card away from being suspended for the Switzerland clash and as a result has left out centre-backs Milan Jovanovic and Marko Basa and tough midfielder Nikola Drincic to ensure their availability for that game.
Tactics and other stuff that only I care about
Predicted lineups and formations
Expect both teams to play a 4-2-3-1, which allows them to bring their respective strengths to bear. England prefer it as it allows their attacking full-backs space to get forward and Wayne Rooney as much creative freedom as he likes, whilst also retaining control of the midfield through Scott Parker and Gareth Barry's pressing. Montenegro, on the other hand, like the 4-2-3-1 as it allows them to bring the strength of their forward department to bear.
Both sides interpret the formation quite differently. The home side would play a more classical variant of the formation, keeping their attacking trio behind the striker compact and allowing them to interchange freely and try and use their technical ability to create chances. England on the other hand will look to play with width and pace, using the narrowness of the Montenegrin wide midfielders to get their full-backs forward and overlapping. The two holders in midfield, Barry and Parker, play relatively similar roles, covering for each other and distributing intelligently. The Montenegrins have a slightly staggered midfield, with the ageing Pekovic using his passing skills to distribute. The younger and more energetic Kascelan gets around the pitch more in defence and enters attacks late.
The danger men for both sides will be the trequartistas behind the strikers. Wayne Rooney and Stefan Jovetic are both top-class, versatile playmakers who thrive in space. Barry and Parker will look to prevent Jovetic, a dangerous dribbler, from getting enough space to turn and run, whereas the home side's two holders will try to cut off the more creative Rooney from the ball. Each of Rooney's partners would offer something different: the pace of Bent or Welbeck would force the opposition to defend deeper, and the aerial ability and strength of Carroll and Zamora could force holes in the opposition defence through sheer power. Jovetic is almost certain to have Mirko Vucinic ahead of him, and the new Juventus signing's astute movement and precise finishing will ensure that John Terry and Gary Cahill need to remain alert.
Whilst domestic form wouldn't have Theo Walcott in the squad, Fabio Capello seems to like him, and tactically his inclusion would make sense. With Ashley Young most likely a shoo-in on his favoured left flank, the introduction of a left-footer such as Stewart Downing or (to a lesser extent) Adam Johnson on the right may serve to make England too narrow at a time when they need to try and open up Montenegro. Walcott offers width that may otherwise be lacking.
In the end, it could just come down to who manages to restrict the other's trequartista the better. Neither side are particularly blessed with playmakers (though Vukcevic and Boskovic are markedly more creative than their England counterparts) and thus rely heavily on their 'No. 10's to dictate play. However, with holding players outnumbering the trequartistas 2:1, the match could turn out to be a slugfest. If it does, then England's superior set-piece ability and strength may have the edge over a Nikola Drincic-less Montenegro.
Last edited:
