Gareth Southgate will aim to extend England’s impressive start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on Malta by picking up another victory over Italy or Ukraine in Group C. So far they are unbeaten.
Jude Bellingham, James Maddison, Lewis Dunk and Callum Wilson’s absence may provide an opportunity for fringe players such as Cole Palmer and Esri Konsa to earn their first caps. In this article, we will discuss about Malta National Football Team vs England National Football Team Lineups.
England
Gareth Southgate’s team looks set to comfortably defeat bottom-of-the-table Malta when they face them at Wembley Stadium on September 18. England have an undefeated record in Euro qualifiers at Wembley and look like frontrunners to claim first spot in Group C over Ukraine.
England are likely to make adjustments when they visit Malta but should still come away victorious from this encounter. Liverpool duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson should start midfield for England while Manchester United star Declan Rice may make an unexpected cameo appearance.
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace could make his senior international debut, as his left-sided profile provides the Three Lions with another option in centre back. Kieran Trippier should also feature alongside England’s two newcomers FC Koln defender Cole Palmer (who could make his first senior international appearance).
Pickford
Though England have already qualified for Euro 2024, much is at stake for England players tonight. Gareth Southgate will want his squad to remain fresh and competitive; thus providing several players an opportunity to put forward their case for inclusion on the plane to Germany next summer.
Pickford was at the centre of England’s dramatic shootout victory against Italy in June and remains their undisputed No 1. He will join Trippier, Maguire, Guehi and Tomori; Alexander-Arnold, Henderson and Gallagher as his teammates; Foden Kane Rashford as others play for Malta with Bonello replacing Bonello at No 1 alongside S. Borg Pepe J Borg Attard N Muscat Camenzuli Teuma Yankam P Mbong Reid all receiving first call-ups while Kemar Reid earned his debut spot after becoming a naturalised citizen himself.
Trippier
Trippier made his mark at the 2018 World Cup, earning widespread acclaim for his performances on the right side of defence. Since then, he has continued his impressive work at Atletico Madrid and now regularly features in England’s Three Lions squad.
Newcastle midfielder Joe Gomez will miss several weeks due to a calf injury, but should return for their final two games before the international break. That should give young defenders Joe Gomez, Rico Lewis and Esri Konsa an opportunity to gain valuable game time before starting club season proper in September.
Maguire
Gareth Southgate’s team struggled in the opening half against Malta but eventually found their rhythm after halftime. Kyle Walker and Bukayo Saka were brought on for Conor Gallagher and Fikayo Tomori to add pace into the matchup.
Jodi Jones and Teddy Teuma remain sidelined from action for the minnows, but still have an opportunity to add two games to their qualifying group total with two remaining fixtures against North Macedonia in October and Malta after that.
Destiny Udogie will also be included, but won’t start after being jeered by part of the Wembley crowd last Friday. Jude Bellingham, Callum Wilson and John Stones won’t feature either; England are hoping to finish at the top of Group C standings and secure an advantageous seeding for Euro 2024.
Guehi
Malta’s Paul Mbong hobbled around with an apparent injury but appears unaffected and should continue. At 22-years-old he’s an exciting prospect who could soon become a key part of Malta’s national side.
England were victorious over Group C underdog Malta at Wembley Stadium in an underwhelming friendly, with Gareth Southgate’s side taking an unconvincing 2-0 victory against their 171st-ranked counterparts after working hard and appearing nervous at times throughout.
Manchester United full-back John Stones and Kieran Trippier trained normally after experiencing minor ailments, while Luke Shaw remains uncertain regarding his fitness. But the biggest question mark surrounds what will become of suspended centre-back Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace who received two yellow cards at Euro 2024 tournament and was thus not included in starting lineup for today.
Tomori
Chelsea defender Terry is enjoying an impressive run. In his last three games he has made five tackles (two won), six interceptions and 14 clearances while also scoring in Milan’s 1-0 victory against Fiorentina.
Due to his yellow card accumulation, he will miss Wednesday’s Europa League clash against Lazio but should return soon afterwards and join Matteo Gabbia or Malick Thiaw on the field once fully fit.
Malta’s team boasts several players with potential to make an impactful statement in the UEFA zone, such as Jodi Jones, Alexander Satariano, Teddy Teuma and Yannick Yankam. Unfortunately for Malta however, their international record is rather poor, winning just two out of their five matches thus far and sitting bottom of their group; to qualify for Euro 2024 they must win to advance.
Alexander-Arnold
Gareth Southgate has numerous choices available to him when selecting England’s central defensive midfield, but making the right call at Euro 2024 could prove crucial to their chances. Lewis Dunk faces serious injury concerns and domestic form could see him eliminated, while Jarell Quansah may find this tournament too soon for them both.
Eberechi Eze and Anthony Gordon have both excelled this season for their clubs, making an impressionful case to make the final squad. Conor Gallagher pairs perfectly with Rice while Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer deserve inclusion; only question is where best they fit within an agile group like this.
Henderson
England won their last meeting against Malta 4-0 at Ta’ Qali to maintain their unblemished record against the bottom team and another crushing win appears likely here.
But late substitutions by Gareth Southgate suggest a shift in tactics: Kyle Walker and Bukayo Saka were introduced as substitutes in place of Conor Gallagher and Fikayo Tomori.
Sam Johnstone, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jarrod Bowen will form a central defensive partnership, with Rico Lewis and Esri Konsa making their first team debuts as England look to keep pressure on Italy at the top of Group C. Unfortunately Jodi Jones and Jude Bellingham remain injured from Italy defeat, opening up opportunities for Notts County pair Teddy Teuma and Yannick Yankam who may come in from Notts County respectively.
Gallagher
Arsenal defender Alex Iwobi has been an integral member of their club side this season, earning himself an England senior call-up. He may replace Trippier at left back while providing cover at centre back.
Gareth Southgate has made few significant alterations to his England squad despite their underwhelming performances so far, though Luke Shaw must first become fully fit before replacing Kieran Trippier at left-back and acting as an attacking outlet on the left flank.
Kobbie Mainoo and Jude Bellingham both earned cameo appearances against Slovenia, and should receive more opportunities in wide areas. Palmer and Gordon could provide width to help break up defensive-minded opponents. Although this selection does not represent an ideal team composition, it represents an effort in that direction; final decision will depend on how it gels together when playing Germany.
Watkins
England defeated Malta with an easy 3-0 win, but their performance failed to leave an indelible impression at Wembley Stadium. Gareth Southgate secured top seeding for Euro 2024 through this result but their performance wasn’t one of their finest or most enjoyable moments.
Gareth Southgate made changes at half time with Kyle Walker and Bukayo Saka coming on in place of Kieran Trippier and Fikayo Tomori to add speed and energy to England’s attack. This move should provide greater speed.
Malta is led by Jodi Jones, Yannick Yankam and Teddy Teuma and is managed by Carlos Alos. While not one of the premier teams in UEFA Zone playoff qualifying groups, their primary aim remains earning qualification to next edition of tournament. Their group includes North Macedonia and England as rivals during qualifying matches.
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