Preview: England vs. Slovenia

England play host to Slovenia on Saturday evening looking to maintain their 100% record in qualifying for Euro 2016.

The Three Lions have already seen off Switzerland, San Marino and Estonia, as this summer's poor World Cup showing slowly begins to fade out of memory.

That victory over Estonia last time out is a game best remembered for Raheem Sterling's omission from the starting lineup due to complaints of fatigue, although the Liverpool winger is in line to start for the Three Lions at Wembley this weekend.

Roy Hodgson could hand a first cap to West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino, with the striker taking the Premier League by storm this season en route to becoming the top-scoring Englishman in the division, although he may have to wait until next weekend's friendly clash against Scotland at Celtic Park.

Likewise, Nathaniel Clyne and the returning Stewart Downing may not feature against Slovenia, with the latter back in the senior set-up for the first time since 2012.

While England can move a step closer to the Euro finals with victory, it will also be a memorable occasion on an individual level for talisman Wayne Rooney, who will receive a special accolade on the Wembley pitch ahead of the game for winning his 100th international cap, should Hodgson name him up top.

Only an injury picked up between now and Saturday afternoon will prevent that from happening, and Rooney will be eager to chase down Bobby Charlton's goalscoring record which is now within sight. The Manchester United forward sits on 43 England goals, while Charlton is out in front on 49.

Slovenia, who are currently ranked 36th in the world, come into this game on the back of two successive victories in Group E, although their opening-game loss against Estonia may prove costly.

That said, the Dragons come into this game second in the standings and boosted by the return of Sinia Andjelkovic, who has spent the last 18 months on the sidelines, while Miral Samardzic also returns to the travelling party.

England will be without midfielders Michael Carrick and Andros Townsend, meanwhile, both of whom have withdrawn from the squad through injury.

These two sides have met on one occasion previously, back in the 2010 World Cup finals when Fabio Capello's England ran out 1-0 winners in the group stage of the showpiece event.

Recent form

England: LDWWWW

Slovenia: LLLLWW

Possible starting lineups

England: Hart, Chambers, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines, Henderson, Wilshere, Sterling, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rooney, Welbeck

Slovenia: Handanovic, Struna, Ilic, Cesar, Brecko, Stevanovic, Pecnik, Kurtic, Kampl, Kirm, Novakovic

Sports Mole says: 2-0