International Friendly: England v Chile match preview

A look ahead to the international friendly fixture at Wembley

Frank Lampard (left) and Roy Hodgson address the media

England commence preparations for next year’s World Cup on Friday night, taking on Chile in a friendly fixture at Wembley. Both sides safely navigated their way through qualifying for next year’s tournament in Brazil, and so face the comfort of a friendly fixture this week rather than the lottery of the play-offs. Chile finished third in the South American qualifying group, behind Argentina and Colombia, whilst their hosts topped Group H in the European section.

England come into the game on a good run of form, having only experienced one defeat in their sixteen fixtures since Euro 2012, but face a Chile side that are undefeated in their last twelve.

KICK-OFF: Friday, 7.45pm

PAST MEETINGS…

England 0 Chile 2 (Salas 2), International Friendly, February 1998

England 0 Chile 0, Reus Cup, May 1989

STATS…

England hold a winning head-to-head record against Chile, but have not beaten their South American opponents in 60 years. England won the first two fixtures between the sides but the last three have ended in two draws and a loss.

The last Englishman to score a goal against Chile was Nat Lofthouse in 1953.

Last time England played Chile – in the build-up to the 1998 World Cup - Michael Owen and Nicky Butt both make their international debuts, with Owen putting in a man-of-the-match display in a 2-0 loss.

The last time that three Southampton players were in the same England squad came in January 1986. Peter Shilton, Mark Wright and Danny Wallace all featured - with Wallace scoring - in a 4-0 victory over Egypt in a friendly fixture in Cairo.

England have won the last nine games in which a Southampton player has scored, a run stretching back to Mick Channon’s goal in 1977 loss to Scotland.

Chile have only won one of their last seven meetings with European opposition – a 4-0 victory over Estonia in 2011.

ODDS…

England to win: 2.06

Chile to win: 4.1

Draw: 3.65

TV: Live on ITV1 at 7.45pm