England vs Lithuania. FIFA World Cup European Qualifying Group F.
Wembley StadiumAttendance77,690.
Sunday 26 March 2017 19:47, UK
England manager Gareth Southgate has called on players and fans alike to prove they are great ambassadors for the country as they face Lithuania on Sunday.
The game comes four days after some travelling supporters marred the friendly defeat in Germany with repetitive, repellent references to the First and Second World Wars.
As those attending the match at Wembley get set to pay tribute to those affected by the attacks at Westminster this week, Southgate wants more dignity than was shown in Dortmund.
He said: "We know how important the national football team is for the feeling of the nation and it's a great opportunity for everybody to pay their respects at that moment and to show we go on.
"The supporters are no different to us as a team, they represent the country when they go away and we want to be good ambassadors. The majority of supporters do that and generally our support is excellent.
"Unfortunately we have a few who were chanting things the other night that were unacceptable. We prefer to focus on those who support us well and it's a sell-out crowd again so we are grateful for the support."
On Lithuania, the England boss added: "We'll have to pay attention to their wide players. They're good in counter-attack and against Scotland scored with some good interplay with their front players.
"We'll have to make sure our attention is correct on set-plays. They'll be the key areas for us."
Joe Hart will captain the team in the absence of Gary Cahill - who is suspended - Wayne Rooney, who has been left out of the squad, and the injured Jordan Henderson.
Cahill's fellow centre-back Chris Smalling is also sidelined and Phil Jones returned to Manchester United before the trip to Germany.
The recently-summoned Ben Gibson will therefore compete with John Stones and Michael Keane for starting places.
Southgate said: "I had to think seriously because we have a squad with some emerging leaders.
"I've spoken about sharing the responsibility around the squad, and even some of the youngest players in the squad have been able to talk openly around the squad this week.
"But Joe is our most capped member of the squad and it's a good moment for him."
Southgate has also praised the contribution of Jermain Defoe, who is back in the squad at the age of 34 after impressing with the Premier League's bottom club, Sunderland.
He said: "He's always had the ability to finish but he's in a very good condition."
England haven't lost a qualification match since October 2009 (away at Ukraine), going 33 qualifiers without a defeat since then across World Cup and European Championship qualification campaigns (W25 D8 L0)
The Three Lions have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six competitive matches
Just one of England's last 16 matches at home (14 at Wembley) have ended in a defeat; winning 14 and drawing one. This defeat was against Netherlands; 2-1 in March 2016
England have scored in every single one of these aforementioned 16 home matches and haven't failed to score at home since losing 1-0 to Germany in November 2013
England defeated Lithuania twice in qualification for Euro 2016; winning 4-0 at home and 3-0 away with all seven goals being netted by different players
Going into this matchday, England are one of two sides yet to concede in European World Cup qualification, along with Germany
Fiodor Cernych has scored in three of Lithuania's qualification matches for the 2018 World Cup to date - all of them have been the first goal of the game
Lithuania haven't won any of their last six away qualification matches (WC and Euro combined), losing four and drawing two
The Lithuanians have conceded a goal in the final five minutes in three of their four 2018 WC Qualifiers to date - two of which have seen them draw a game that they were leading
England have only allowed their opponents six shots on target in their four 2018 WC Qualifiers so far, while they have attempted 21 themselves
I thought England played pretty well in Germany and could have won. They created some good chances, although they did miss Harry Kane.
While I can understand why they played Jamie Vardy in that system for his pace, I was a little surprised Gareth Southgate didn't give Jermain Defoe a go.
I'd play Defoe against Lithuania. He's a predator, he's proved it for many years. He won't be bothered about any pressure if he misses a chance as he'll take the next one that comes along.
If England win this, they'll go to 13 points and create a gap from their rivals. I think this will be Sunday stroll for England. Lithuania are average at best and England will have far too much for them.
I can see Dele Alli pulling the strings and England winning it 4-0, and if he starts Defoe scoring a couple of goals.
Charlie predicts: 4-0 England at 13/2 with Sky Bet
Gareth Southgate's side played well in their 1-0 midweek friendly defeat in Germany, but they are very strong 1/8 favourites with Sky Bet for victory at Wembley over Lithuania to boost their prospects in top spot in Group F.
The visitors sit third bottom of the group currently and can be backed at 22/1 for three points here, while a draw is trading at 7/1.
Back-to-form Jamie Vardy heads the betting at 5/2 to be first goalscorer, with Jermain Defoe and Marcus Rashford both 11/4 chances.
