England vs Malta: What time does it start, what TV channel is it on and where can I watch it?

A look ahead to Gareth Southgate's first game in charge of the national football side

Southgate looks on as he runs an England training session at St George's Park (Getty)

With Sam Allardyce now firmly out of the picture, the national side have the opportunity to move on from what has been an embarrassing two weeks for English football. This will be Gareth Southate’s first game in charge of the senior side and under his guidance, England have the perfect opportunity to carve out a new chapter for themselves.

Southgate has been gifted the softest of opponents to ease himself into the job and England are expected to walk away from Wembley on Saturday night with a comfortable victory.

It’s a big game for…

Gareth Southgate. Can the former Middlesbrough manager become England’s reluctant redeemer? Southgate has been thrust into the limelight and is now tasked with the responsibility of steering the English ship as the FA look to find a permanent replacement to Allardyce. As the former coach of England U21s, Saturday’s clash against Malta marks a big moment for the 46-year-old as he steps up to the top job. Should England deliver in their next four matches then the position could become his on a permanent basis.

Best stat…

Malta have never beaten England. The last time they played was in 2000 when England held out for a 2-1 victory.

Player to watch…

Jesse Lingard. The Manchester United youngster has been handed his first start for the national side and will need to reward Southgate for his show of good faith. Despite being tipped to start, Marcus Rashford finds himself on the bench. Southgate may have missed a trick in excluding in-form Rashford from his starting side but Lingard certainly has the capacity to deliver. Can he do so today?

Jesse Lingard during Friday's press conference (Getty)

Form guide…

England: WLDWD

Malta: LDLLD

Head-to-head…

Malta 0 England 1 (Peters), UEFA European Championship, February 1971

England 5 (Chivers x2, Lee, Clarke, Lawler) Malta 0, UEFA European Championship, May 1971

Malta 1 (Wright og) England 2 (Keown, Heskey), International friendly, June 2000

Starting XI...

England (4-3-3): Hart; Walker, Stones, Cahill, Bertrand; Henderson, Rooney, Alli; Walcott, Sturridge, Lingard.

Malta (4-4-1-1): Hogg; Camilleri, Borg, Zerafa, Agius; Failla, Fenech, Sciberras, Scicluna; Schembri; Effiong.

Vital information…

Kick-off: Saturday 8 October, Wembley, 5.00pm

TV: ITV 1 – build-up starts at 4.30pm

Odds...

England win - 1/50

Draw - 49/2

Malta win - 55/1