England Under-21s will be hoping to secure back-to-back wins at the start of 2017 European Under-21 Championships qualifying campaign when they host Kazakhstan Under-21s at Coventry City's Ricoh Arena on Tuesday.
Gareth Southgate's side are in action at home for the first time this campaign, while Kazakhstan have won just once in their first three outings.
England Under-21s
© Getty Images
Southgate's Young Lions turned their attention to qualification for the 2017 European Under-21 Championship last month, beating Norway in their opening fixture.
The side currently sit third in Group 9, but started their qualifiers late, having been in action in the 2015 tournament during the summer. It was a disappointing competition for the team, as they failed to progress to the knockout stage in the Czech Republic.
There has been a lot of change for the side since then, with their top scorers from the last qualifying campaign, Saido Berahino and Harry Kane, no longer eligible for the Unders, along with captain Jack Butland.
Southampton's James Ward-Prowse has taken over as skipper, and made an immediate impression, scoring the only goal in the win over Norway last time out.
Although they have only played one of their eight qualifiers so far, England are the only side with a 100% record in their qualifying group, although Switzerland are also unbeaten, having dropped their only points in a draw with Norway.
Southgate will know that an impressive qualifying record will not necessarily lead to success though, with the side winning nine of their 10 qualifiers for this year's tournament, before winning just once in the finals.
Recent form: WWLWLW
Recent form (all competitions): WLWLWW
Kazakhstan Under-21s
If Kazakhstan are to have a chance at reaching the 2017 tournament in Poland, they know that they need to start picking up points, having won just once in three outings so far this campaign.
Saulius Sirmelis's side made a bright start to qualifying, beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1 in their opening fixture, before losing to Switzerland and Norway, leaving them fourth in the group.
While their opponents have had a month's break between fixtures, this will be Kazakhstan's second outing in five days, as they slipped to a 2-1 loss in Drammen in Norway on Thursday, conceding a late goal from Alexander Sorloth.
This is Kazakhstan's seventh attempt to qualify for the tournament, having always missed out in previous years. However, they showed an improvement ahead of the 2015 tournament, finishing third in their group with three wins, having failed to pick up any victories two years earlier.
22-year-old striker Roman Murtazayev was their top scorer in the previous campaign, but he is now too old for the squad. Rauan Sariyez is the most experienced of the Kazakhstan strikers in the squad for this match, having netted three goals in eight appearances for the Under-21s so far.
Kazakhstan have struggled at the back in their first three fixtures though, conceding in every match so far. Only Bosnia-Herzegovina, who have lost all three of their games, have let in more goals in Group 9.
Recent form: WWLWLL
Recent form (all competitions): LWWWLL
Team News
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Goalkeeper Angus Gunn had to withdraw from the squad after picking up an injury in training ahead of this match, resulting in Joe Wildsmith being called up in his place. He could start on the bench behind Jordan Pickford, who has earned the number one shirt following Butland's move up to the senior team.
Everton defender Brendan Galloway and Hull City striker Chuba Akpom have both been recalled to the squad after missing the win over Norway, as has Lewis Baker, who is currently on loan from Chelsea with Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem.
With two matches in less than a week, Kazakhstan could look to make changes, particularly as they were beaten just a few days ago.
Oibek Baltabayev was taken off at half time in the 2-1 defeat, suggesting his place in midfield could be under threat from Abzal Taubay, while Didar Zhalmukan is likely to continue up front after scoring the only goal against Norway.
England Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Pickford, Chambers, Dier, Galloway, Gomez, Chalobah, Loftus-Cheek, Ward-Prowse, Baker, Ibe, Redmond
Kazakhstan possible starting lineup:
Pavlov, Aslan, Rudoselskiy, Kuksin, Sartokov, Tuliyev, Shaikhov, Taubay, Nurmugamet, Zhalmukan, Suley
Head To Head
This will be the first time that the Kazakhstan Under-21s have faced the Young Lions, having never been drawn in the same qualifying group as the England Under-21s previously.
The seniors have a 100% record against Kazakhstan though, winning both of their 2010 World Cup qualifiers against the side with ease.
We say: England Under-21s 3-0 Kazakhstan Under-21s
England created few chances against Norway last month, but with Kazakhstan's leaky defence, this is a chance for the Young Lions' new batch of strikers to stake a claim for a regular starting place in the side. Gareth Southgate might not have all of his players available, but there are a number of Premier League and Championship regulars in the squad, which should prove too much for the visiting side, who mainly ply their trade in the Kazakhstan league.
Sian Cowper
Spain U21s
