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As it happenedended1507478808

Lithuania vs England, World Cup qualifier live: What time is it, where can I watch it and what is the team news?

Follow live coverage of the World Cup qualifier

Liam Corless
Sunday 08 October 2017 16:58 BST
Comments
(Getty)

England wrap up their successful World Cup qualifying campaign against Lithuania on Sunday, having booked their place at next summer's tournament a game early.

But Gareth Southgate will be eager for his side to put on a performance after their dire home display against Slovenia earlier this week.

Follow live coverage below...

What time is it?

England kick-off their final World Cup qualifying match at 5pm, at the LFF Stadionas in Lithuania.

Where can I watch it?

ITV have the rights to this one, with their coverage set to begin at 4.30pm.

Alternatively, bookmark this page and follow live minute-by-minute updates.

Southgate will be hoping for an improved performance (Getty)

What is the team news?

Jack Butland will start in goal for England in their final World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.

Manager Gareth Southgate announced his decision on Saturday, a day ahead of the game.

Butland replaces Joe Hart, England's regular first-choice goalkeeper, for the last match of England's campaign.

Hart will drop to the bench for the away match (Getty)

England have made sure of their place at the Russia 2018 finals, taking the pressure off the trip to Lithuania and giving Southgate the opportunity to make changes.

Southgate said of Stoke number one Butland: “He has been patient for his opportunity, his form has been good. It's a good opportunity for Jack.”

Dele Alli returns for England, while Southgate is also expected to name the likes of Harry Maguire, Kieran Trippier and Harry Winks in his starting eleven.

What have they been saying?

Lithuania manager Edgaras Jankauskas : “Teams like England are always criticised a bit, even if they win and we saw the match and their ability and the goal they scored at the end showed what fitness levels they have.

“In general criticism is always normal when you have so much media interest and football is so popular.

“I think it shows the level the football is at, even when they are criticised after winning and qualifying for the World Cup.”

Butland has been given the nod (Getty)

England goalkeeper Jack Butland: “My motivation...my desire to keep playing and being as good as I can," the Stoke player said ahead of winning his sixth cap.

“Obviously the injury was a really big setback for me at a point where I thought there was an opportunity for me to take a spot, if you like.

“So, yeah, after coming off the season I had at Stoke to then have that happens was tough and to miss 16 months in the end.

“I was 19 when I made my debut and a hell of a lot has happened since then, ups and downs, but I'm still 24, I am back where I want to play in terms of playing in the Premier League and being in the international set-up.

“What's gone has gone and I'm looking forward to being successful for club and hopefully country as well.”

Expected teams

Lithuania (4-2-3-1): Setkus; Borovskij, Girdvainis, Klimavicius, Andriuskevicius; Zulpa, Slivka; Cernych, Aernas Novikovas; Spalvis

England (3-4-3): Butland; Keane, Stones, Maguire; Trippier, Dier, Winks, Bertrand; Alli, Kane, Sturridge

What are the odds?

Lithuania to win: 4/7
England to win: 7/4
Draw: 10/1

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Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of Lithuania vs England.

Team news coming your way...

Vithushan Ehantharajah8 October 2017 15:54
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England team news

Here is how the Three Lions line up for their final World Cup qualifier:

Vithushan Ehantharajah8 October 2017 15:55
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Lithuania team news

Here is how England's hosts line up tonight:

Liam Corless8 October 2017 16:04
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Southgate rings the changes 

With qualification for Russia 2018 already in the bag, Gareth Southgate has made a number of changes to his line-up from the team that started against Slovenia at Wembley.

Interestingly, England will play with three central defenders in Ljubljana - a change in formation that worked so well on Thursday night and eventually brought about the Three Lions' 94th-minute winning goal.

On that occasion right-back Kyle Walker, offensively restricted in a back four for the majority of the game, was given licence to get forward following Michael Keane's late introduction and provided the cross for Harry Kane's late strike. 

Liam Corless8 October 2017 16:15
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Kane retains captaincy

Harry Kane will captain England tonight for the second game in a row. Will he be the Three Lions' skipper in Russia summer?

Liam Corless8 October 2017 16:20
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England's record against Lithuania

England have won all three of their previous meetings with Lithuania, scoring nine goals and not conceding any in the process:

  • England 2-0 Lithuania (March 2017)
  • Lithuania 0-3 England (October 2015)
  • England 4-0 Lithuania (March 2015)
Liam Corless8 October 2017 16:27
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Good omen?

Liam Corless8 October 2017 16:34
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Giggs critiques England's display against Slovenia

England's performance against Slovenia on Thursday night was underwhelming to say the least. 

The Three Lions' slow build-up play almost led to the team dropping points at Wembley and former Wales international Ryan Giggs reckons Gareth Southgate's central midfielders need to improve their intensity. 

"It's just imagination and passing forward. When I played in midfield, the first thing I thought about was looking forward," he said on ITV a few moments ago. "That's my first thought.

"Is it this England midfield's first thought or is it, 'I better not give the ball away'?"

Liam Corless8 October 2017 16:44
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Can England finish their qualifying campaign in style tonight or will Gareth Southgate's men deliver another performance that gives us more questions than answers?

Liam Corless8 October 2017 16:52
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Gareth Southgate explains his change in formation from 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-3

"We've looked over the summer at what our best system is. We felt that 4-2-3-1 was our best formation for qualifying as it gave us an extra attacker on the pitch.

"We wanted to start looking at something different in November. Today gives us a chance to start it early.

"I think we've got to pass the ball better (to make 3-4-3 work). We're playing three centre-backs who can use the ball really well. Our connections have been better when we've played this system."

Quotes from ITV

Liam Corless8 October 2017 16:55

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