World Cup 2014 qualifications match ;England vs Ukraine Live streams,preview,predictions,lineups
Wembley Stadium — London,
Referee: C. Çakιr
Just three months ago these two teams played in the group H stage at the European Championship in Poland/Ukraine when England defeated one of the host with 1-0 and qualified for the next stage.Of course,home fans was disappointed as well as the Ukraine’s players,so all of this adds extra spice in front of this match,because certainly Ukraine footballers wants some revenge.It is interesting that these two teams were in the group for the last World Cup to,and then both teams celebrated when they were playing at home.
Of course that now the English do not thinking about anything other than the three points,because after the first round when they with an even 5:0 celebrated as guests in Moldova they hit the first place and having 6 points would just strengthened their leading position in the group.
Before the first round match, England has played one friendly match at Wembley Stadium were with 2-1 they defeated Italy and so at least somewhat got a little revenge for the elimination on the last European championship, where in the semifinals after a penalty shoot-out Italy knocked England.
Both of these games on the best way have shown that the coach Hodgson was right when he said that he needed some time to get to know this team, which experienced major changes after the Euro, partly because of poor form of some players, but also because the large number of injuries.
Specifically, prior to meeting with Moldova out of the team have been of Rooney and Carroll, then midfielders Parker and Wilshere,defenders Cole, Jones and Smalling, and now to them has joined defender Terry ,strikers Walcott and Sturridge, so it is not surprising that opportunity to play now gets some new players.
But on the other hand, they used this on the best possible way,primarily defender Baines and midfielders Cleverley and Oxlade-Chamberlain, while the second youth are experiencing Lampard and Gerrard, who has also been doubtful for this match.
Probable starting lineup of England: Hart – Johnson, Cahill, Lescott, Baines – Cleverley, Gerrard – Milner, Lampard, Oxlade-Chamberlain – Defoe
As for the Ukrainians, who after a modest performance on the Euro, despite the support of home fans have failed to pass in the quarterfinals, so far have played only one friendly match, in which they at home played with the Czech Republic only 0:0, while the match against San Marino they will play in next cycle.
It actually means that in this meeting at Wembley they are opening qualifications, in which they expect at least an equal battle for second place with Poland and Montenegro, but they did not give up on the direct placement for World Cup in Brazil 2014.
However, to do they first have to remain undefeated in this away game against the first favorite,England, which definitely will be an extremely difficult task, especially if they do not play adequate defense, where in fact they are the thinnest.
However, from the team definitely have retired legendary Shevchenko and Voronin, while Milevsky is not even close form like a few years ago, so the coach Blohin has switch to a game with only one true striker and five midfielders, where only occasionally Yarmolenko is getting something more offensive tasks.
Thus, in this encounter with the English, Ukrainians will compete in the 4-4-1-1 formation, in which Gusev should be in midfield, while in the last line will “jump in” Butko.
Probable starting lineup of Ukraine: Pyatov – Butko, Rakitsky, Khacheridi, Selin – Gusev, Tymoshchuk, Garmash, Konoplyanka – Yarmolenko – Devic
Prediction :Regardless of this somewhat defensive tactics of the Ukrainians, we believe that the English in front of their fans are able to obtain at least the minimum victory while with a little luck and a great realization as against Moldova,they might even be able to celebrate with something bigger difference.England to win.