England know they only need to draw away tonight in Montenegro to secure Euro 2012 qualification in Poland and Ukraine next summer. Should be plain sailing for Fabio Capello's men, right? RIGHT? As an England supporter, you just never know. Ten years ago England looked certain to qualify for the World Cup after thrashing rivals Germany 5-1 in Munich, only to struggle in the final match against Greece and requiring a late and unbelievable David Beckham free to spare the blushes and secure qualification. There'll be no David Beckham for tonight, and let's hope it doesn't get to the point where we need a moment of magic from the current generation of players. More recently the end of Steve McClaren's reign came when a surprise 3-2 defeat to Croatia cost their place at Euro 2008. Fabio Capello has expressed his desire to attack tonight and go out for the win, without holding back for the draw, as he is aware of just what a dangerous position they are in. Although they currently top Group G with six points after the hosts struggled against Wales and Bulgaria, if The Three Lions lose tonight automatic qualification is completely out of their hands and if Montenegro were to win mid-week, England would have to go into the gamble of the play-offs. But we shouldn't need to worry about that tonight. England have been completely professional in their unbeaten qualification run so far and that's all it will take tonight to qualify.
Team News
As well as Capello's tactics/future as England manager (he has reiterated the fact he won't be in charge after the tournament) the pre-match talk has been over
Wayne Rooney after the star striker's father was arrested this week over involvement in an alleged betting scam. Capello has confirmed he will play "I found him relaxed and calm... There is no problem for the game, he will play against Montenegro." Will his head be right tonight to get the job done for England? You only need to rewind the clock back a year to see that Rooney isn't one of those players who can perform when personal problems are on his mind. Favourite to partner Rooney tonight, surprisingly, is Fulham striker
Bobby Zamora, with what would be only his second cap at 30 years of age.
Danny Welbeck, Darren Bent and
Andy Carroll have all been in great form for their clubs in recent weeks, banging in the goals, and we imagine it's Capello's choice of who he plays up front that might be most discussed if England don't progress tonight. In defence,
Rio Ferdinand is ruled out as he fights to regain fitness leaving
Gary Cahill and
John Terry to continue their partnership at the back. If the game had been less important perhaps
Phil Jones might have played after impressing for Man United, but it won't come tonight. Though there is a chance Jones might play at right back with his club team mate
Chris Smalling injured with a groin injury, though after
Kyle Walker's impressive display in the North London derby last week and
Micah Richards getting use to winning games at Manchester City, those two will have something to say about that. Perhaps the most important decisions in the game might come from Montenegro coach
Branko Brnovic. He said in his pre-match conference that he intends to rest at least three key men tonight to instead field them against Switzerland on Tuesday, basically throwing in the towel tonight and trying to get a 2nd place play-off place (as they only need to avoid defeat in Basle on Tuesday) and it'll just be a bonus if his side can get a draw/win tonight.
Prediction: 0-3 - Dare I say it will be comfortable for England tonight?? I expect a game very similar to the Bulgaria one a few weeks ago - a match made boring simply because England are on another level to their opponents. Are you ready to be a
winner? Bet on this crucial Euro 2012 qualifier now.