Venue: Stadio Olimpio Serravalle Date: Friday, 22nd March K/o: 20:00
Team News
San Marino are expected to pick Matteo Vitaioli and Andy Selva to lead their attack, while Aldo Simoncini is likely to start in goal for tonight's World Cup Qualifying clash with England in Group H. England have a spate of defensive problems with Rio Ferdinand controversially dropping out of the squad, coupled with injuries to the likes of Michael Dawson, Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill. Midfielder Michael Carrick has been tipped to play a central defensive role. Winger Theo Walcott will miss both this game and next week's qualifier against Montenegro with a groin injury.
Match Preview
The pre-match build up for this World Cup qualifier has been dominated not by on-field incidents but rather those off it. The decision taken by defender Rio Ferdinand to pull out of the squad and travel to Qatar to work as a television pundit caused immediate controversy, though manager Roy Hodgson recently stopped just short of calling time on the Manchester United star's international career. Considering the Three Lions are currently second in Group H having recently been displaced by leaders Montenegro, it is imperative that England focus on tonight's encounter and put off-the-field concerns to one side. Though San Marino - who are a team consisting of part timers and managed by a PE teacher - may appear easy opposition on paper, absolutely nothing can be taken for granted tonight. Tonight's opponents have won just once in 107 games and have conceded an incredible 465 goals and are ranked 203 places below England, but complacency at this stage can be fatal. In November, 1993,
La Serenissima scored after just 8.3 seconds against England and it is vital that the Three Lions make a better start to the game this time round.
Likely Line-Ups
San Marino A. Simoncini, Valentini, F. Vitaioli, Della Valle, D. Simoncini, Palazzi, Cibelli, Cervellini, Coppini, M. Vitaioli, Selva
England Hart, Walker, Carrick, Lescott, Baines, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lampard, Cleverley, Young, Rooney, Defoe Source:
Sky Sports