Ukraine v England: World Cup Qualifier Match Preview

10 September 2013 15:01

Victory for England over Ukraine this Tuesday will leave them huge favourites to qualify from Group H for World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

Roy Hodgson's side, who are level with Montenegro on 15 points but ahead on goal difference, ran out 4-0 winners against Moldova on Friday and remain the only unbeaten side in the group.

But Ukraine, who smashed San Marino 9-0 - and were 8-0 up at half time - are only a point behind and they will sense the opportunity to overhaul England whey travel to Kiev later this week.

England do have problems up front with Wayne Rooney (head), Daniel Sturridge (thigh) and Danny Welbeck (suspended) all sidelined.

Danny Welbeck is suspended for England's crunch World Cup qualifier in Ukraine on Tuesday, leaving manager Roy Hodgson facing a striker crisis. The Manchester United striker was booked after taking a strike at goal after the referee had blown his whistle for an offside in the first half of England's match against Moldova at Wembley.

That leaves Southampton's Rickie Lambert as their main threat, who's international career has got off to a flying start, with two goals in as many games.

Ukraine however are enjoying an excellent run of form, with 15 goals and four clean sheets from their last four matches.

Ukraine earned a 1-1 draw at Wembley earlier on in the campaign. They could have beaten England if it wasn’t for an 87th-minute Frank Lampard-penalty. They will be eager to lay to rest bitter memories of their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, which ended in disappointment after they finished runners-up to England.

England Predicted Line-Up:

Joe Hart; Kyle Walker, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Ashley Cole; Steven Gerrard, Jack Wilshere, Frank Lampard; Theo Walcott, Rickie Lambert, James Milner

Ukraine Predicted Line-Up:

Pyatov; Fedetskyi, Shevchuk, Khacheridi, Rakytskyy; Edmar, Tymoschuk, Konoplyanka; Seleznyov, Yarmolenko, Devic

Source: DSG