England’s attempt to guarantee their place in the 2014 Rio De Janeiro World Cup comes to a close this week, as the Three Lions host Montenegro (Friday 11th) and Poland (Tuesday 15th) at Wembley Stadium. Roy Hodgson’s side must win both games to finish top of Group H and secure their place in Brazil next year, while a second place finish would set them up for a two-leg knock out round against current World Cup champions Spain, or rivals from across the pond, France.
Manager, Roy Hodgson, will be without trusty left-back Ashley Cole for the Montenegro game as the defender recovers from a rib injury, however this paves the way for in-form Leighton Baines to return to the England starting XI. Montenegro have problems themselves, as the Southern Europeans are without key players including captain Mirko Vucinic and keeper Mladen Bozovic. Many will think this is a game England should win, but after the teams drew 1-1 in their first game back in March, nothing is guaranteed.
The game against Poland on Tuesday should also prove difficult competition, with the Three Lions again only managing a 1-1 draw when the sides last met. Poland are undoubtedly an attacking threat through Robert Lewandowski and Jakub Blaszczykowski, although England’s Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge, who have both been in fine form in the Premier League, should give the Polish defence plenty to worry about in what is set up to be a cracking game of football.