da dobrowin： Before England even begin to worry about the difficult task of actually winning the World Cup staged in Brazil in 2014, they firstly have to make sure they are there, and said qualifying begins this weekend in the brilliantly timed International break just as the season started to get going.
da betano casino： Roy Hodgson’s England face two games before the players return to their domestic duties hopefully injury free, and the first of those is away to Moldova this Saturday. Of course on paper England’s group looks like one they should be able to navigate in a fairly straightforward manner, but as we all know too well, this is England, and nothing is ever easy.
The trip to the Zimbru Stadium in Chisinau will not be an easy one for the players but it is vital that they get off to a good start in the group and claim the maximum three points. Of course the squad is depleted by the absence of star striker Wayne Rooney – something Hodgson is already used to dealing with after only a brief period in charge – and at least for the first game the absence of first choice left back Ashley Cole.
The partnership between Terry and Lescott looks like being a favourite for Hodgson, although Cahill will be looking to impress himself on the squad now he is fit again, with Johnson taking the birth at right back and a choice for Hodgson between Baines and youngster Bertrand to fill in for Cole. Of course behind the defence will be one of the very best keepers around at the minute and the best England have been privileged to have in a long time in Joe Hart and the defence will need to hold firm in a hostile stadium and impose themselves on the game.
Key Battle – John Terry v Picusceac
The Moldovan striker is a firm favourite of manager Ion Caras and has lead the line in the previous three friendlies for the side coming up with the grand total of 0 goals in all the games. If the striker struggled to score when facing the defences of Angola, Venezuela and El Salvador, it is highly doubtful he will beat John Terry either in the air or on the ground this weekend, and despite the Chelsea skipper suffering from a neck niggle he and the rest of his defence will be looking for a clean sheet.
The heart of the national side – the midfield is something that has caused no end of controversy and debate over the last few years with most arguing that Lampard and Gerrard are not able to play together, yet could well both feature against Moldova. Carrick has also returned to the fold with club colleague Ashley Young missing out. Hodgson has the chance to go with youth in players such as Oxlade Chamberlain, Cleverley and Walcott all in the squad, with no better time to start a fresh than during qualifying for a tournament.
Key Battle – Gerrard v Covalciuc
With skipper Gerrard a certainty to start, speculation is rife over who will partner him in the centre of midfield but that aside, Stevie G will have to worry about former Spartac Moscow player Serghei Covalciuc in the fight for midfield supremacy. Currently playing for FC Aktobe the 30 year old has his work cut out – the odds on Gerrard to score and England to win are 2/1 yet his odds for the very same are 40/1.
England will have to make do without Wayne Rooney yet again and a recently revived and promptly injured Andy Carroll, but have plenty of fire power in Defoe, Sturridge et al. Hodgson will most likely place his faith in Jermaine Defoe who will be looking to make a major impression on the side and grab some goals to cement his place in the team. England may have struggled in the past without Rooney but with not only Defoe looking to make an impact but supporting players such as Walcott looking to rack up the assists and show why they should make up a potential 5 man midfield, Moldova could be in for a long night.
Key Battle – Defoe v Racu
A striker of Defoe’s calibre and confidence will be looking to take a former striker turned midfielder turned defender – and free agent Racu to the cleaners on Saturday night and hammer home the goals. With his pace and clinical finishing skills Defoe looks odds on to get at least a couple of goals, and even if he fails there will be no respite for 25 year old Racu – who has spent most of his career at various clubs across Scandinavia with Sturridge and Welbeck waiting in the wings. At least Racu can breathe a sigh of relief Rooney is missing.
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