Fabio Capello and his England squad prepare tonight to face a Ukraine side unbeaten in World Cup Qualification at a packed Wembley.
The fixture is an important one, as the three lions take on their last nation to play in group six, a team not to be turned over easily. Ranked just five places behind England in 14th spot by FIFA, the former soviet state are a transformed prospect from the weak opposition of the 90s.
Their best asset could well be their vibrant attack. The lineup tonight features former Liverpool attacker Andriy Voronin, complete with petit-esque ponytail, and ex-Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko. Although Ukraine will have resilient battlers all over the pitch, it will be the former European player of the year Shevchenko who will be causing John Terry and Rio Ferdinand problems.
His scoring record speaks for itself. Discounting his nightmare at Stamford Bridge, he bagged 127 goals in 208 appearances for AC Milan and has scored half of the Ukraine’s goals in the qualifying campaign thus far.
Anyway, less about the opposition and let’s turn our attention to the Capello revolution down at Wembley. 100 % competitive record still intact, few would bet against England triumphing yet again on home soil tonight.
Yet squad preparation hasn’t gone completely as the Don would have liked it to. With strikers dropping like flies and Fabio Capello refusing to turn to fourth-highest all-time goalscorer and professional poacher Michael Owen, Peter Crouch is England’s front man for the big clash.
Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney are expected to be let off the leash once more to wreak havoc in and around the Ukrainian box. Rooney himself was voted England player of the year for 2008 and in the form the Manchester United playmaker is in, he could produce his best in front of goal once again.
The XI almost picks itself after the comfortable victory against Slovakia at the weekend; whilst Capello shuffles the attacking pack, I expect the Italian not to tinker with the midfield and defence, giving some rigid consistency, something England fans have longed for since Euro ‘96.
One factor which could prove remarkable seems to be England’s tendency to boss the second half of qualifying games. The number crunchers at Castrol have once again compiled a preview dossier on the two squads ahead of tonight’s game, and have discovered a trend with regard to the timing of England’s goals.
86% of goals have come after half-time, with the majority coming just after the restart. With Ukraine yet to concede in any first half they have played in group six, it could well be a very quiet first 45 at Wembley tonight.
If impatient England fans can sit tight without getting on the players backs, and let England build their goals over time, the victory can surely only go one way- and football will be coming home once again.
Predicted Lineup:
David James (GK)
Glen Johnson
John Terry (C)
Rio Ferdinand
Ashley Cole
Aaron Lennon
Gareth Barry
Frank Lampard
Steven Gerrard
Wayne Rooney
Peter Crouch
Subs: Beckham, Upson, Carrick, Wright-Phillips, Lescott, Jagielka, Downing, Green, Baines, Foster, Agbonlahor.
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