Bulgaria vs England: Preview, TV Schedule and Live Stream Info

England are tied with Montenegro for the top spot in the Group G for the 2012 European Championships. They started 3-0 but have played to a draw in their last two matches against Montenegro and Switzerland.

Bulgaria are tied with Switzerland for third place in the group and sit six points behind the leaders. They have some making up to do if they are going to have any chance at advancing past the qualifying stages.

Bulgaria and England last played each other in September of 2010. England took them down with a 4-0 defeat, will they be able to do it again?

Where: Vassil Levski Stadion, Bulgaria

When: September 2nd, 2:15 EST

Watch: ESPN Deportes (USA), TSN (Canada), Sky Sports 1 (UK)

Live Stream: ESPN3

Biggest Storyline: Will Bulgaria Bounce Back After Last Year's Loss?

Bulgaria was destroyed at Wembley Stadium the last time these two teams squared off. Jermain Defoe recorded a hat trick for the English squad as the match was never in question. Defoe scored just three minutes into that match and added two more in the second half to seal the match for England.

This time, the two will meet in Bulgaria. The Bulgarians have a chance to succeed with the crowd at their back this match, but will they be able to come back from the 4-0 beatdown they received in England?

Player to Watch for England: Wayne Rooney

Rooney is the playmaker for England and seemingly plays his best football with the team. He will be the focal point of the English attack and could easily put the ball in the back of the net more than one time in the match.

He is terrific off the ball and with the ball at his feet and is one of the most dynamic players in the game. Bulgaria is desperate for a victory, but they will need to stop Rooney to have any chance at that.

Player to Watch for Bulgaria: Martin Petrov

Martin Petrov is one of the more experienced players on the team and will be called on to help lead the attack for Bulgaria.

Petrov has experience playing all over the world and has starred for both Bolton and Manchester City.

He has experience playing against most of these players, which should help him a lot in this match.

Key Matchup: Midfield Battle

England will look to control and dominate possession against Bulgaria and will need to do it with their midfielders.

If England is able to dominate in the midfield, they will open up plenty of chances for Defoe and Rooney to capitalize with goals.

If Bulgaria can gain possession in the midfield, that will be their best defense against Rooney and company.

What They're Saying:

Despite recent rumors, Dimitar Berbatov won't be suiting up for Bulgaria again according to the Sofia News Agency,

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Manchester United's striker Dimitar Berbatov is not on Bulgaria's list for the Euro 2012 qualifier against England in spite of UK tabloid reports that head coach Lothar Matthaeus is trying to get him to rejoin the team.

Matthaeus announced Monday the names of 30 players from whom he will be choosing his team for the September 2 qualifier against England in Sofia but Berbatov is not among them.

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On the other side of things, England will be without Jack Wilshire according to Sky Sports:

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However, Wilshire appears to have suffered a setback in his rehabilitation and Wenger has now conceded the player will be out up to three weeks, ruling him out of the Udinese game, the trip to Old Trafford on Sunday and England's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Wales at the start of next month.

"I don't know if we are back to square one or for how long he will be out," said Wenger.

"He's in a boot again, so that means he will at least be out for two or three weeks."

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Final Score:

England 2
Bulgaria 1