World Cup Qualifier: England v Poland match preview

A look ahead to the final World Cup qualifying crunch match at Wembley

Opening salvo: Wayne Rooney celebrates with Danny Welbeck after he scored England’s first goal against Montenegro on Friday night reuters (Reuters)

It’s make or break time for the Three Lions, with nothing less than a victory required for automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

Their Polish opponents will not roll over easily though with over 18,000 away fans set to roar them on, and minds will certainly cast back to 1973, when a heroic performance from goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski stopped England from qualifying for the 1974 World Cup.

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However, England go into the match full of confidence after a vibrant performance against Montenegro, with debutant Andros Townsend putting in a fantastic display. England will hope for much of the same, and will need to keep a beady eye on Polish talisman Robert Lewandowski if they are to progress.

Kick off: Tuesday, 8pm.

Past meetings:

Poland 1 England 1, World Cup Qualifier, October 2012

England 2 Poland 1, World Cup Qualifier, October 2005

Poland 1 England 2, World Cup Qualifier, September 2004

Poland 0 England 0, European Championship Qualifier, September 1999

England 3 Poland 1, European Championship Qualifier, March 1999

Stats:

There have been 17 different goal scorers during Roy Hodgson’s reign as England manager so far, with Wayne Rooney topping the table with 9 goals.

Tottenham Hotspur star Andros Townsend has been on loan nine times since he’s been at White Hart Lane, before breaking into the Spurs first team this season.

Wayne Rooney requires only 12 more goals to equal Bobby Charlton’s England record, after his goal against Montenegro on Friday.

England and Poland have met 18 times before, with England winning 10 of those matches and Poland only winning the once.

Odds:

England to win: 1.25

Poland to win: 16

Draw: 6.8

TV: Live on ITV 1 at 8pm, highlights on ITV at 11pm.