England continues their preparations for the 2022 World Cup when Ivory Coast pay a visit to Wembley for Tuesday’s international friendly battle.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Three Lions ran out 2-1 winners over Switzerland in the capital on Saturday night. Goals from Luke Shaw and Harry Kane made sure Southgate’s unbeaten run extended to eight games.
As for the visitors they lost by the same scoreline to reigning world champions France. A stoppage-time winner from Monaco midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni meant there was no upset.
England team news
Southgate has insisted that changes will be made here as expected, with Harry Maguire, Declan Rice, Emile Smith-Rowe, Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish all options for rotation.
Embed from Getty ImagesEngland was forced into a last-minute change on Saturday night, as Ben White was drafted into the defence to replace John Stones, who felt muscular tightness in the warm-up but could be ready to tackle Ivory Coast.
How will England line up?
(4-3-3 formation) Pope, Walker-Peters, Maguire, Mings, Mitchell, Rice, Bellingham, Ward-Prowse, Sterling, Grealish, Kane
Opposition view
Ivory Coast seemingly left the field against France with a clean bill of health, although Wilfried Singo, Hamed Traore and Christian Kouame all withdrew before the loss to Les Bleus.
Manager Patrice Beaumelle named a strong XI for the trip to the Stade de France and is unlikely to consider many alterations for Tuesday. Maxwel Cornet and Max Gradel could both provide fresh legs over Wilfried Zaha in attack.
Recent meetings
- This will be the first meeting between the two sides.
- England has won their last three games and is have not lost in eight games.
- There have been over 2.5 goals in four out of the last five England matches.
- England has scored the first goal in seven out of their last nine matches.
- Ivory Coast has scored the first goal in eight out of their last 10 matches.
Form
England: W-W-W-D-W
Ivory Coast: L-L-W-D-W
How to watch
For fans unable to make the trip to Wembley Stadium, they will still be able to watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event with kick off at 7:45pm.
Prediction
Southgate will be hoping to give game time to players that did not play on the weekend as well as see who would suit his system the best. England are a tough side to beat and with Harry Kane only four goals off Wayne Rooney’s 53 goals for his country, he will be keen to break the scoring record as soon as he can.
Ivory Coast will not be an easy match for England. The West African side have some decent players such as Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha, AC Milan’s Franck Kessie and the second top goalscorer in the Champions League this season, Ajax’s Sebastian Haller.
We expect a close encounter but believe Southgate’s side will do the job.
Score prediction
England 2-0 Ivory Coast
