England and Wales will look to fine tune their preparation for crunch World Cup qualifiers next week when they clash at Wembley in an international friendly tonight.
The Three Lions are well placed in Group K of European qualifying and, having won five games out of five so far, know another victory in Latvia on Tuesday could secure their place in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer, depending on results elsewhere.
England are almost certain to qualify either way but the situation is different for Wales, who are currently third behind North Macedonia and Belgium in Group J. They host Belgium on Monday and with North Macedonia also due to visit the Principality, either side of a trip to minnows Liechtenstein, the opportunity for Craig Bellamy’s men to top their pool is very much alive.
Tonight, therefore, is a tricky fixture for Thomas Tuchel and Welsh counterpart Bellamy to navigate. Neither will want to cede ground to their near-neighbours yet neither will want to take risks with personnel ahead of next week.
England Team News
John Stones makes his first England start since October last year.
As expected, Ollie Watkins leads the line in the absence of injured captain Harry Kane, with Declan Rice taking the armband.
Tottenham full-back Djed Spence makes his first senior start for the Three Lions, who are without Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento because of a knee injury.
England: Pickford; Konsa, Guehi, Stones, Spence; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Rogers, Gordon; Watkins
Wales Team News
Despite the crucial qualifier with Belgium on the horizon, Wales boss Craig Bellamy has named a strong team.
Indeed, of the regular starters, Chris Mepham and Sorba Thomas are the only two players to miss out on a place in the XI at Wembley.
Wales: Darlow, N Williams, B Davies, Ampadu, Rodon, Brooks, Wilson, Cullen, Johnson, Moore, Dasilva.
How to watch England v Wales: TV and online streams
England versus Wales kicks off tonight at 7.45pm UK time. You can watch it on ITV1 and stream it via the ITVX app.
Stats for England v Wales
- England have won their last seven meetings against Wales by an aggregate score of 14-1
- They last met at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with England running out 3-0 winners
- England have won nine of their last 11 competitive fixtures by at least two goals
