WCQ Preview: England vs Albania – key Stats, H2H, line-ups, prediction

UEFA Nations League Unimpressive England held to a goalless draw against Denmark

England will look to book their place in the 2022 Fifa World Cup when they welcome Albania to Wembley Stadium this Friday for their ninth game of the 2022 World Cup Qualifier campaign. 

Venue: Wembley Stadium (London)

Key Statistics

England are unbeaten in this World Cup Qualifiers campaign (W6, D2).

They have scored 24 goals in the tournament and have conceded just three times.

The Three Lions have kept three clean sheets in their last five games.

Albania have won three of their last five games. 

They have also kept three clean sheets in their last four games.

They have scored eleven goals and scored seven times in eight World Cup qualifying games so far.

Head to head

England have a 100% record against Albania, winning all five head-to-head meetings between them.

Latest Performances in all competitions

England: D-W-D-W-W

Albania: L-W-W-W-L

England

Despite staying unbeaten in eight World cup qualifying rounds, England are yet to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Three Lions were held to a 1-1 draw with Hungary last time out. The result postponed their qualification for the Qatar event, and ensured that they enter the penultimate game of the qualifying rounds needing a win.

They enter this game sitting top of the group, three points ahead of Poland. However, they will be looking to win this game and ensure that they not only qualify for Qatar, but that they do so as the leaders of Group I.

Gareth Southgate’s men will be confident of picking up all three points here as they are undefeated against Albania in a competitive game. Also, they have not suffered a home defeat in World Cup Qualifying since a 1-0 defeat to Germany in October 2000. That game also represents the last time they failed to score at home in this stage of the tournament.

Meanwhile, England will be without Declan Rice, Marcus Rashford and James Ward-Prowse who have all withdrawn from the squad in recent days, while Mason Mount (dental) and Luke Shaw (concussion) are out with injuries.

But the Three Lions will be boosted by the return of Kalvin Phillips, while the addition of Emile Smith-Rowe will also offer Southgate an extra attacking option in midfield.

Possible England starting line-ups

Jordan Pickford, Reece James, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Ben Chilwell, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Jack Grealish.

Albania  

Three wins from their last four World Cup qualifying games have seen Albania dreaming of a place in the 2022 World Cup. 

The visitors are currently sitting in third place in Group I, two points behind Poland but still have a chance of playing their first World Cup in history if results go their way. 

They will be desperate to claim a win here and boost their chances of qualifying from this group. However, a win alone is not enough to guarantee them a place in Qatar, they will be hoping that Andorra pulls off a surprise win against Poland to push them to second place.

Despite the enormity of the task ahead, ‘The Eagles’ will fancy their chances of winning here as they have won three of their last four away games in this WCQ campaign.

Meanwhile, defender Berat Djimsiti is the only one missing for Edoardo Reja’s side.

Possible Albania starting line-ups

Etrit Berisha, Ardian Ismajli, Marash Kumbulla, Frederic Veseli, Elseid Hysaj, Keidi Bare, Klaus Gjasula, Lorenc Trashi, Nedim Bajrami, Sokol Cikalleshi, Armando Broja.

Prediction

England 3-0 Andorra