Albania welcome Group I leaders, England to Arena Kombetare, Tirana, in a huge 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Victory for Albania will send them top whereas England can retain top spot with a win.
Team News
Albania have no fresh injury concerns after Thursday’s win in Andorra with a full squad in contention to start, with Edoardo Reja set to rotate his starting eleven.
England have no fresh injury concerns as Harry Kane looks to start after being rested in Thursday’s victory over San Marino.
Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka have returned to Manchester United and Arsenal respectively, as the pair have been withdrawn with respective ankle and hamstring injuries.
Stat Attack
- Albania have lost all four previous World Cup Qualifiers against England (L4).
- England have won both previous trips to Albania, although they conceded one goal in their last visit in March 2001 – only goal conceded in four overall clashes.
- Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions have failed to score in their last two away matches, although they haven’t failed to score in three ‘away’ games since 1993.
Prediction
Albania enter this match off a narrow win over Andorra but they seemed to enjoy playing up the flanks and were dominant in attack, which will certainly cause England some issues if can force gaps open and take their chances.
England meanwhile delivered a strong pressing performance in Thursday’s win over San Marino with plenty of opportunities created, yet their decision making up front needs to be sharp if are to improve and avoid wasting shots.
Southgate though will certainly make changes but if he retains Ben Chilwell, Mason Mount, Jesse Lingard and James Ward-Prowse, I can see those four providing serious threats across the flanks to enable a comfortable away victory despite recent woes on the road.
Prediction: Albania 0-3 England
Result: Albania 0-2 England
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