England vs Slovakia: Predictions, Previews and Team News

Wembley, Saturday, 28 March

Mirror Sportswriters' Predictions:
Darren Lewis: Home win (3-0)
Neil McLeman: Home win (2-0)
Chris Wilson: Home win (2-0)

OPTA Facts

On the two occasions that England have met Slovakia, they have been behind 1-0 at half time, but gone on to win the game 2-1 come the final whistle.

John Terry will be reaching the landmark of 50 international caps for England should he play some part in this match.

England have not managed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last five international matches.

England have only been able to win two of their last six friendly matches on home soil.

The Slovaks have only managed one win in their last seven away from home.

Wayne Rooney has scored five goals in his last three appearances for England.

England team news:

Fabio Capello has ordered his players not to treat tomorrow's clash with Slovakia as a friendly.

England boss Capello has told his players he will pick a full-strength team as a dress rehearsal for next Wednesday's World Cup qualifier with Ukraine - but he is keeping his players guessing on what the starting line-up will be.

Preparations for the match have been overshadowed by the Ledley King saga, with the injury-ravaged defender at the centre of a club versus country row.

But with King back at Tottenham, after calls from Spurs boss Harry Redknapp not to risk aggravating the centre-back's knee injury, another man is set to hog the headlines. David Beckham is likely to win his 109th cap tomorrow, making him the country's most capped outfield player.

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And his chances of starting on the right side of midfield increased after Shaun Wright-Phillips missed training yesterday with an ankle injury.

With Capello vowing to select his top-guns, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, and Wayne Rooney - described by the Italian as a "crazy man" this week - can all expect to be involved from the start.

Steven Gerrard will be hoping he is given the licence to roam with which he has produced such a rich vein of form with Liverpool in recent weeks.

The big names are unlikely to play the full 90 minutes, however, and the likes of Leighton Baines, Stewart Downing and Peter Crouch - who is struggling to shake off a calf injury – will all be waiting in the wings.

England go into the fixture with one foot already in next summer's World Cup, after victories in all four of their Group 6 ties so far.

But they came unstuck against European Champions Spain last month, and Slovakia will provide a tough test.

Vladimir Weiss's side are also making impressive progress through their 2010 qualifying campaign. They currently sit top of Group Three ahead of Poland, Czech Republic and Northern Ireland. And in Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, West Brom defender Mark Cech, Napoli playmaker Marek Hamsik and skipper Robert Vittek, who plies his trade in the French top-flight with Lille, they boast players with proven credentials.

England squad:

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham United), Ben Foster (Manchester United)

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Matthew Upson (West Ham United),

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), David Beckham (AC Milan), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool).

Forwards: Carlton Cole (West Ham United), Peter Crouch (Portsmouth), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

Betting odds (Sporting bet):
England win: 1/4
Draw: 4/1
Slovakia win: 9/1
Wayne Rooney first scorer: 4/1

Asian Handicap

England vs Slovakia

0 : 1 1/2

Over / Under 2 3/4

( Mirror )