England vs. Switzerland: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
It's party time for England after they reached Euro 2016 on Saturday, defeating San Marino 6-0 to book their place in France next summer.
If any of Roy Hodgson's players think that means they have licence to take their foot off the gas and coast through their remaining three games in Group E, however, then they have another think coming.
The England boss said he is determined to see the Three Lions qualify for the European Championship with maximum points and carry their momentum over into the competition proper come June.
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"There are no feelings of euphoria," Hodgson told the media on Monday," relayed by the Daily Mail. He continued:
"Our work this week is more with a view to the future. There’s only one goal for us and that’s to have a good Euros. What is a good Euros? Well, we can discuss that until the cows come home.
Saying you've won 10 out of 10 [in qualifying] would be very nice, but if you don’t improve as a team and if you don’t progress certain players as they could possibly be progressed, I think that would be counterproductive.
"
That hints at potentially seeing some changes to the team now England are officially set to compete at Euro 2016 to give more experience to some younger stars.
Jonjo Shelvey is one who may well benefit after his star showing in midfield against San Marino to continue his excellent start to 2015/16 for club and country.
The last time England faced Switzerland was exactly a year to the day in Basel, when they put in a fine performance to come away 2-0 winners.
Danny Welbeck scored twice that night to get their qualification campaign off to a flying start after a disappointing World Cup.
England have developed well since then, and as the only team in Euro 2016 qualifying with a 100 per cent winning record intact, they've shown how dominant they can be.
All they need is a point to secure top spot in Group E, while the Swiss will be desperate to continue their run of five wins on the bounce in qualifying to keep Estonia at bay in third.
Estonia face Slovenia on Tuesday knowing a victory could cut the gap between them and Switzerland to just two points with two games remaining.
They face each other on Matchday 10, which could prove spicy if results don't go Switzerland's way beforehand.
Match Details
Date: Tuesday, September 8
Time: 7.45 p.m. BST/2.45 p.m. ET
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
TV Info: ITV1 (UK only)
Live Stream: ITV Player (UK only)
Last 5 Games
England became the first team to qualify for Euro 2016 after maintaining their 100 per cent record in qualification on the back of that 6-0 victory against San Marino on Saturday.
Switzerland strengthened their position as the second-placed team in Group E with a 3-2 win over Slovenia last time out.
| March 27 | Engladn 4-0 Lithuania |
| March 31 | Italy 1-1 England |
| June 7 | Republic of Ireland 0-0 England |
| June 14 | Slovenia 2-3 England |
| September 5 | San Marino 0-6 England |
| March 27 | Switzerland 3-0 Estonia |
| March 31 | Switzerland 1-1 USA |
| June 10 | Switzerland 3-0 Liechenstein |
| June 14 | Lithuania 1-2 Switzerland |
| September 5 | Switzerland 3-2 Slovenia |
Predicted Lineups
Michael Carrick has pulled out of the England squad through injury, but other than the Manchester United midfielder, Roy Hodgson has a full squad to choose from ahead of the Wembley showdown with Switzerland.
England (4-3-3): Jack Butland; Nathaniel Clyne, Gary Cahill, John Stones, Luke Shaw; Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jonjo Shelvey, James Milner; Ross Barkley, Wayne Rooney, Raheem Sterling.
Switzerland (4-5-1): Yann Sommer; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Fabian Schar, Timm Klose, Ricardo Rodriguez; Granit Xhaka, Blerim Dzemaili, Admir Mehmedi, Valon Behrami, Xherdan Shaqiri; Josip Drmic.
Players to Watch
Wayne Rooney
Where England are concerned, it's going to be difficult to look much further than Rooney on Tuesday night.
He stands on the brink of making history for his country, and to do that at Wembley will make the moment even more special.
All he needs is one goal to break Sir Bobby Charlton's goalscoring record.
It's been an incredible journey for the Manchester United frontman to get this far. His critics will say he has never fully delivered on his potential, but Rooney remains England's talisman and, if he does score on Tuesday, will arguably be the Three Lions' finest striker.
Xherdan Shaqiri
The Stoke City man is Switzerland's standout performer, and the feeling is that if he is on song at Wembley, the Swiss may well produce an upset to spoil the English party.
He keeps Switzerland ticking all over the pitch, but of course does most damage in the opposition third, where his magical left foot can prove deadly.
In open play, Shaqiri has enough about him to trouble goalkeepers from range, while he is a lethal weapon from set pieces.
The Premier League is busy acquainting itself with the ex-Bayern Munich man after he joined Stoke this summer. If England don't do that early on Tuesday, he will punish them.
Prediction
England 2-0 Switzerland
Odds
Odds via Oddschecker
Home win: 5/6
Away win: 9/2
Draw: 27/10
First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney (4/1)
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