World Cup

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World Cup | Qualifiers

Oct 11, 2013 at 8pm UK

England
4-1
Montenegro

Rooney (48'), Boskovic (62' og.), Townsend (78'), Sturridge (90' pen.)

FT(HT: 0-0)

Damjanovic (71')

Preview: England vs. Montenegro

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 09 October 2013

Sports Mole previews the World Cup qualifier between England and Montenegro, with both nations still able to qualify automatically.

Four of the six nations in Group H can still qualify automatically for next year's World Cup in Brazil.

Two of them, England and Montenegro, will meet at Wembley on Friday night. The home side currently top the group with 16 points and if they emerge victorious, then it will end Montenegro's chances of finishing at the summit.

However, should Branko Brnovic's team win, then they would leapfrog the Three Lions and could even replace them at the top of the standings, depending on the Ukraine against Poland result.

Brnovic is expected to field a largely defensive lineup, although Juventus forward Mirko Vucinic and Manchester City's attacker Stevan Jovetic could both start.

Meanwhile, hosts England will be without Theo Walcott because of injury, with many reports tipping James Milner to replace the Arsenal wideman.

Also, Daniel Sturridge's positive start to the season with Liverpool could earn him a place up front alongside Wayne Rooney, which would mean that Danny Welbeck has to settle for a place among the substitutes.

These two teams have met on three previous occasions, all of which have ended in draws.

What's more, England have not lost a competitive fixture in 90 minutes since their defeat to Germany at the 2010 World Cup, although they went down on penalties to Italy at Euro 2012.

Recent form

England: DDDWWD

Montenegro: WWDLDD

Possible starting lineups

England: Hart; Walker, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines; Lampard, Gerrard, Milner, Wilshere; Rooney, Sturridge

Montenegro: Bozovic; Basa, Džudovic, Bozovic, Savic; Zverotic; Boskovic, Drincic, Krkotic; Jovetic; Vucinic

Sports Mole says: 1-0