England host Montenegro tonight in a top of the table Euro 2012 Group G clash at Wembley Stadium. The hosts will be looking to regain top spot, as they are sitting three points behind, having played a game less than the Montenegrins.
Injuries have riddled England’s preparations for this game, with reliable trio Frank Lampard, Phil Jagielka and Jermaine Defoe all absent. Rio Ferdinand will return though to take the captains armband.
Wayne Rooney’s form and fitness continues to be a concern for both club and country, although he should be better off for his goal in England’s last qualifying match, a 3-1 win in Switzerland.
Manager Fabio Capello can’t afford to be too fussy with Peter Crouch and first-timer Kevin Davies his only other striking options.
The Three Lions will be looking to build on a confident start to qualifying for Euro 2012 following emphatic wins over both Bulgaria and fellow contenders Switzerland. But Montenegro could prove to be plucky opposition, having not conceded a goal yet in their three matches.
Having defeated each of their opposition by the score of 1-0, the Brave Falcons are one of the big improvers in world football currently sitting 40th in the FIFA world rankings.
Talismanic captain and Roma star Mirko Vucinic will no doubt be the danger man, in a Montenegro side who have no fresh injury concerns and are full of belief leading up to this match.
Breaking down their defence could prove to be tough, but England should have enough quality in the attacking areas to see off the threat of their lesser opponents.
Montenegro like most sides will probably come to London and defend, and should offer a more stubborn challenge that Bulgaria in that respect. Obviously though, the safe money would be on England to really take control of the group heading into next year.
Elsewhere in Group G, Switzerland and Wales face off in a do or die match in Basel. The loser will almost certainly face a near-impossible task to qualify for Ukraine and Poland.
Other matches across Europe see Sweden Travel to the Netherlands, Italy hosting Serbia, Iceland will look to freeze out Portugal, while Scotland face a visit from reigning world champions Spain.
Prediction: England 2-0 Montenegro
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