JuicyTalk
Preview for Latvia v England
The equation for England is very simple: win in Latvia tomorrow and they will be guaranteed a place at the World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.
Thomas Tuchel’s side went into the current international break knowing there were various different scenarios that could see them qualify but Serbia’s 1-0 defeat to Albania on Saturday has simplified matters.
England sit top of Group K having won all five qualifiers without conceding a goal.
They head to Riga on the back of a 3-0 friendly defeat of Wales at Wembley on Thursday night.
It is all coming together nicely for Tuchel, who appears to found a solid formula despite the absence of several high-profile players such as Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish.
One man who appears indispensable for the Three Lions, however, is Arsenal’s Declan Rice.
Rice captained England against Wales in the absence of Harry Kane, who is expected to return from an ankle injury against Latvia.
The Arsenal midfielder is playing a slightly more advanced role for both club and country this season and relishing the freedom he has been given.
“I think now I’m more of a box-to-box number eight,” he said.
“The manager has adjusted my position at Arsenal a bit this year to give me a bit more freedom to drop deeper but to also get in the box when I can and it’s the same with Thomas [Tuchel].
“That really suits me on the left side of midfield, being able to get back, be an all-round action midfielder, [which] is what I want to be.
“I’m just enjoying my football and it’s another season where we have started strong with England and with a team at Arsenal. Hopefully there’s positive things coming.”
Latvia are fourth in the group and, while they are all but out of the equation for a play-off spot, will view this game as a free hit against one of the European heavyweights.
They will have to improve their performance considerably, though, from that which saw them draw 2-2 at home to minnows Andorra on Saturday.
Team News for Latvia v England
Kane is set to come back into the side at the expense of Ollie Watkins, who went off at half-time against Wales after colliding with a post.
Tuchel has been eager to reward those who have performed well so he is likely to go with the bulk of the side that won last Thursday.
Latvia have no fresh injury concerns following the weekend game.
Predicted line-ups for Latvia v England
Latvia: Zviedris; Savalnieks, Balodis, Cernomordijs, Jurkovskis, Ciganiks; Zelenkovs, Varslavans; Ikaunieks; Gutkovskis, Sits
England: Pickford; Konsa, Guehi, Stones, Spence; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Rogers, Gordon; Kane
How to watch Latvia v England: TV and online streams
Latvia versus England kicks off at 7.45pm tomorrow night. It can be watched free-to-air on ITV1 and streamed on the ITVX app.
Stats for Latvia v England
- Thomas Tuchel is the third manager to win as many as six of his first seven games in charge of England after Glenn Hoddle (1996-1997) and Sven-Goran Eriksson (2001 – both also six)
- This is only the second ever meeting between Latvia and England, with England winning the first 3-0 in March earlier this year
- Latvia last avoided defeat against a top-10 ranked nation in 2004, a 0-0 draw against Germany
Prediction for Latvia v England
This should be a routine night for England, and one that ends in celebration with qualification secured.
The Three Lions should be too strong for Latvia and expect Tuchel’s side to start quickly and put the game to bed before half-time.
Prediction: Latvia 0-4 England
