Football Team News

STUDIO: Welcome back. The team news is in, so let’s go to our commentators Andy and Phil, who are up on the gantry, soaking up the atmosphere. COMMENTATOR 1: Thank you. Yes, the atmosphere is absolutely fantastic. The fans cannot wait for this game to start. And nor can we. So, let’s have a look at the teams for today’s game. Henderson keeps his place in goal ahead of Pope after keeping five clean sheets in six games. The defence is unchanged, with both Maguire and Smith as centre halves. Arnold and Smith will give England the ability to push forward as the full backs. Into the midfield: Maddison and Hope will be occupying the centre of the park, looking to unlock the opposition with their creative interplay, whilst Sancho, who comes in for the injured Williams and Marangone, making his third consecutive start on the left wing. Up front, leading the line, will be Kane and Wilson. Wilson, who has scored five goals in five games, will look to continue his scoring form, and, with a hat trick in his last game against France, he is looking ever-more confident. What do you think of the line up, Harry? COMMENTATOR 2: It looks strong. I like the way the manager has kept with the orthodox 4-4-2 formation that they played with last time; they played really well. We will probably see Kane dropping a little deep, acting as a false nine at times to create space for the wingers by drawing out the opposing defenders, allowing Wilson and Sancho to get in behind. Marangone is an interesting choice; he’s been playing really well of late. He likes getting forward, has a good left foot to whip the ball across goal, but sometimes he does forget to track back, leaving Rose a little isolated at the back, which could cause them a few problems as the game goes on, but let’s see. COMMENTATOR 1: So, let’s have a look at the Portuguese national team. It’s a pretty much unchanged team from their last game, who beat Italy 2-0, with two superb late goals from Fernandes. So, Patricio in goal, with Cancelo and Guerreiro as full backs. Ruben Dias and Jose Fonte, the two centre halves in charge of keeping England at bay. Whilst Silva, Neves and Fernandes will play as a midfield three, leaving Jota, Eder and Aldo to lead the line. So, Harry, what do you make of Portugal’s line-up, and how do you expect them to play today? COMMENTATOR 2: Well, as always, one thing we expect from the Portuguese is a fast start. There will be a quick tempo on the passing, especially with the midfield three interchanging left to right, and a strong press from the defence when the opposition have the ball in an attempt to keep a high line. We don’t usually see Portugal play a 4-3-3; this could play into England’s hands, but it’s obviously something they’ve been working on in training, but, depending on how the game goes, they may move to a more narrow formation with Silva, Neves, Fernandes and Aldo creating a diamond in the middle, mirroring England’s 4-4-2 to try and keep them out with the hope they can counter-attack with the pace they have up front. COMMENTATOR 1: So, predictions on this one, Harry? COMMENTATOR 2: I think it’s going to be tight. I think it might come down to a piece of individual brilliance from the likes of Aldo or Wilson. For me, they’re the two players I’d expect to get on to the score sheet. I’ll be optimistic and say 2-1 to England. COMMENTATOR 1: Before we kick off, let’s go back to the studio with Martin and Gary.