International Preview: England vs Lithuania

England welcome Lithuania to Wembley in a World Cup Qualifier for Russia, with both sides looking to recover from their midweek defeats.

The Three Lions come into this match on the back of a 1-0 defeat against Germany, in Lucas Podolski's final match for Germany.

It was the first defeat of the Gareth Southgate era, with England still struggling to beat any top class opponents.

Lucas Podolski (69) signed off on his international career with an incredible 25 yard effort, to give Germany a 1-0 lead.

The former Arsenal winger, making his 130th and final appearance sealed victory for the World Champions.

It's a result that will have disappointed Southgate, with England throwing away another excellent position.

They still regard themselves as a side in transition, they will be building for the World Cup in Russia.

The Three Lions find themselves top of Group F after wins against Malta and Scotland, they have drawn against Slovenia as well.

Gareth Southgate has yet to prove that he has what it takes to move England forward, recent results suggest nothing has changed.

The match against Lithuania is a match that England are expected to win, with the visitors in fourth in the qualifying group.

England are overwhelming favourites, they have the chance at home to stretch their lead to five points atop Group F.

England will be looking to continue their 100% record against Lithuania, they have beaten them 3-0 and 4-0 in the European Qualifiers.

Lithuania In Mixed Form

The visitors come into this match in mixed form, having suffered a 3-0 defeat against the Czech Republic in midweek.

Tomas Horava (48) opened the scoring for the Czech's from the penalty spot, after a goalless first half.

Jakub Jankto (64) doubled the advantage, with a left footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom right hand corner.

Michal Krmencik (79) completed the scoring for the Czech Republic, and another miserable night for Lithuania.

The visitors are in poor form coming into this match, they have shipped seven goals in their last two international matches.

Their last win came in the 2-0 win against Malta, which was back in October of last year and their only win of this campaign.

They are in fourth position in the table, behind Slovakia, Slovenia and England and a win will be the best in their history.

Their record in the last six matches has been poor, they have won one, drawn three and lost two matches.

The match against the Three Lions sees Lithuania emerge as underdogs, with their poor recent form informing the bookies.

They face an English side who are still building, with manager Gareth Southgate still relatively new in the job.

Lithuania will be looking to record their first ever win against England, but in their two meetings they have conceded seven goals.

Tip 1 – Rashford to score first @ 11/4

Tip 2 – England to win 2-1 @ 11/1