England have a long list of absentees, so Fabio Capello have benn forced to try out some fresh faces. Three of the regular defenders: John Terry, Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson are missing because of injury, so the Three Lions will use a new back-line, as only captain Rio Ferdinand holds his place. Jagielka-Ferdinand will be the center-pair, with Micah Richards on the right and Arsenal Kieron Gibbs at the left. On the other end of the field, other absentees: Wayne Rooney, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe and Bobby Zamora, so once again Capello will have no other option, but to experiment with Newcastle`s sensation, Andy Carroll or with Cardiff`s Jay Bothroyd, the first player called up from the Championship in the last 3 years.
Looking to continue the revival
Laurent Blanc haven`t had the ideal debut at the helms of Les Bleus, but France have recovered with three straight victories without conceding and it seems that they are starting to find their form under the former Bordeaux coach. Nicolas Anelka and Patrice Evra are still suspended, but apart them, Blanc can count on his best lads, including Premiership players such as Chelsea`s Florent Malouda or Arsenal trio Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri.
Lack of cohesion and experience
England will be without the core of the team, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, with almost a completely new defense and with two hot-prospects making their debut: Andy Carroll (21 years old) and Jordan Henderson (20). Blanc will rely on the same players who won the last three qualifying games without conceding, so they will have a big advantage in terms of cohesion and experience.
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Prediction:
Tip: 2 AH (0)
Odd: 2.50
Bookie: Betfred
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