Allen Hamilton

What: Euro 2012 Qualifying – Group G
Who: Wales vs England
When: Saturday 26th March, 2011, at 15:00 UK time
Where: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales


Starting a New Era with Speed

Euro 2012 qualification looks far away for Wales and, indeed, is not dominating the thoughts of new coach Gary Speed. The former veteran English Premier League midfield stalwart has been called upon early in his career in the dugout to inspire the next generation of Welsh dragons. A brief spell in charge of English second tier side Sheffield United looks scant preparation for Speed but, capped 85 times for his country, the 41-year-old commands respect in the dressing room of what is still a young Wales outfit.

For the Welsh, victory over England would go some way towards getting their new era with Speed off to a flying start. In front of a packed Millennium Stadium the prospect isn’t a remote one, and all the right noises are coming from the host’s squad. "We’re quietly confident in the camp that we’ve got enough to pull off an upset", said Tottenham Hotspur starlet Gareth Bale, while legendary striker Ian Rush chipped in: "If we can keep it tight at the back, get the crowd going, we have got a chance."

However, the Welsh have taken a big blow before a ball has been kicked, with the news that Bale, who was expected to do real damage to the English, has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. The knock instantly moved Wales’ chances of causing an upset down a notch, but the home side will not give up so easily.

The Return of the Captain

England’s build-up has been dominated by coach Fabio Capello’s decision to make Chelsea defender John Terry the permanent captain once again. The 30-year-old lost the armband last year due to controversy in his personal life and allegations of an affair with the wife of former team-mate Wayne Bridge. And while Capello insists that Terry has served his time, the reaction of each member of the England squad is a subject of much pondering.

Nevertheless, Terry leads from the front and can be expected to give his all for England. Capello’s side are also aware of the need to pick up three points at the Millennium Stadium. The match may be a local derby, but it is also a Euro 2012 qualifier and England sit second in the group, three points adrift of Montenegro, albeit having played a game less.

Speculation over a possible surprise inclusion from Capello in the side is growing ever intense, with West Ham midfielder Scott Parker a possible starter. The Italian could deploy a 4-4-2 against the Welsh, with Andy Carroll, expected to cause the host’s defence all kinds of problems, tipped to partner Wayne Rooney in attack.

 

Recent form

Wales:
Wales 0-1 Bulgaria (08/10; Euro 2012 Qualifying)
Switzerland 4-1 Wales
(12/10; Euro 2012 Qualifying)
Ireland 3-0 Wales (08/02; Nations Cup)

England:
England 0-0 Montenegro
(12/10; Euro 2012 Qualifying)
England 1-2 France (17/11; Friendly)
Denmark 1-2 England (09/02; Friendly)

Players to watch

Wales – Aaron Ramsey: Just 20 years old, but set to wear the captain’s armband against England, Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey demonstrates Wales’ commitment to the beginning of a new era by his very presence. Still recovering bit by bit from a horror leg break a year ago, Ramsey will be making his first Wales start since November 2009. For Wales to compete, Ramsey must be on the ball.

England – Andy Carroll: The Liverpool striker is now fully over the injury which made for a delayed start to his Anfield career. Big, tall and powerful, Carroll has it within his powers to give the Welsh defence a torrid afternoon. While England must be wary of being tempted to play route one football to the striker, Carroll will offer vital knock-downs for Wayne Rooney.

Match Prediction

Wales will surely get a boost from playing at home in front over over 70,000 passionate supporters urging on their every touch, but the fact remains that the loss of Gareth Bale is a big blow to their hopes of springing a surprise. The biggest danger to an England win is England themselves underestimating that they will still need to put in a real shift of work to claim the three points. It might not be pretty, but England should take a 2-0 win back to London.

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