For the second time in a month, an exciting new chapter begins for English football.
Gareth Southgate takes charge if his national senior side for the first time at Wembley today, and what better way to mark such an historical occasion than with the visit of the 176th greatest national team in world football?
Having parted company with Sam Allardyce and his 100% win record, England play their second World Cup qualifier of the year knowing full well that simply turning up is enough to guarantee a victory. Let’s face it, the idea of a Three Lions side failing to win against a country with a population of less than half a million is completely out of the question, isn’t it?
Nevertheless, the lineup Southgate has named for the match against Malta might offer a few clues about how the new-look England will be shaping up as they bid to qualify for the World Cup in Russia in 2018 – a World Cup that all Englishmen will have convinced themselves their side are going to win by the time it kicks off…
Unsurprisingly, bang in form Wayne Rooney starts for his country, as does his Manchester United teammate, Jesse Lingard.
Hot on the heels of his impressive evening at The Emirates a couple of weeks ago, Gary Cahill is named in the English defence where it appears he’ll partner John Stones.
The teams are in!
Here's how the #ThreeLions will line up against Malta in this evening @FIFAWorldCup qualifier: pic.twitter.com/43P8VZM7C1
— England (@England) October 8, 2016
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