STAR PREVIEW: Czech Republic v England

With a game in hand and a three-point advantage, England have one foot in Euro 2020 and they can seal a place at the final in Prague. Gareth Southgate’s men have kept up the good work from their World Cup and they’ve been perfect in qualifying too with a 100% record.

They’re four wins from four and are thriving with the free-flowing approach of Gareth Southgate and a more cohesive team seeing England get the best from their elite players, especially in attack.

A front three of Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane and Jadon Sancho should strike fear into all defences and especially those in the qualifying groups when they’ve traditionally done so well. Sterling netted a hat-trick whilst Kane put away a penalty in England’s last qualifier as they beat Kosovo 5-3. The Saturday before that, Kane scored a hat-trick and Sterling added one as England eased past Bulgaria 4-0. Indeed, Kane and Sterling were also on the scoresheet in Montenegro when England were 5-1 winners and when the Czechs came to Wembley, Sterling came away with a hat-trick.

The movement, speed and skill of the front three has proved to be too much for all opponents in the group to handle and they are ably backed up by a squad that does have plenty of options at this level.

Chelsea starlet Mason Mount could leapfrog Ross Barkley into midfield – Mount has started six of Chelsea’s games since the last international break and scored four goals this season with Barkley only starting twice – but either of them should provide creativity if chosen to take the number 10 role.

If one of Kane, Sterling or Sancho was to be rested, then Southgate does have the option to choose Premier League leading light Tammy Abraham, who has seven goals this season, or Marcus Rashford, who is struggling for Manchester United but who will have infinitely better service if he gets game-time here.

Czech Republic v England
UEFA EURO 2020 Qualifier
Kick Off: 19:45 ITV

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches, Since 2000)
MAR 2019 EURO 2020 QUALIFYING England 5-0 Czech Republic
AUG 2008 FRIENDLY England 2-2 Czech Republic
NOV 1998 FRIENDLY England 2-0 Czech Republic

The Czechs should be looking to put up a more spirited showing this week than in the reverse fixture for sure and will be boosted by their 3-0 win over Montenegro last time out.

They do also have a star forward in the shape of Patrik Schick, a hot prospect for the Czech Republic and Roma, who has four goals in qualifying. Schick will be fancying his chances of getting at a defence which has suffered for Michael Keane’s loss of form and Joe Gomez’s lack of minutes.

Jordan Pickford has struggled along with Everton too and whilst they were second best, it’s worth noting Kosovo scored three times in Southampton, and the hosts have scored in each of their last 10 home games, so goals could be on the cards here and over 2.5 looks a competitive option even if England are too good.

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