England's recent performance under Thomas Tuchel saw a significant improvement as they defeated Serbia 5-0 in a World Cup qualifier. This victory followed a less impressive 1-0 win against Andorra at Villa
Park. The match against Serbia showcased England's potential, with Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa, and Marc Guehi scoring their first international goals. This marked only the third time since 1966 that three or more players scored their first international goals in a single game.
Tuchel's squad selection for the upcoming matches has raised eyebrows. Despite being fit, Jude Bellingham from Real Madrid is not included. Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, and Adam Wharton are also absent. Grealish has been outstanding for Everton this season, leading in open-play chance creation and assists. However, Tuchel still has a talented squad at his disposal.
England will face Latvia in a qualifying match next week but will first play Wales in a friendly at Wembley. This will be their first meeting since the 2022 World Cup when England won 3-0 in Doha. England has won their last seven encounters with Wales across all competitions. Opta's supercomputer predicts England as favourites with a 70.9% chance of winning.
Wales faces a tough challenge against England, having lost two of their last three matches after an impressive run of just one loss in 19 games. They have not lost consecutive games since June 2023. Wales is winless in their last 11 away friendlies and hasn't scored in such matches since 2009. Despite these challenges, there is some hope for Wales as England has lost their last two friendly matches.
Harry Kane remains a key player for England, having scored 18 goals for Bayern Munich this season. He is now among the top five most-capped players for England with 109 appearances. For Wales, Brennan Johnson poses the biggest threat at Wembley. The Tottenham forward has scored twice in the Premier League this season but only once in Wales' World Cup qualifiers.
Midfield Dynamics
Elliot Anderson and Jordan Henderson have been pivotal for England's midfield dynamics under Tuchel's leadership. Anderson excelled during his initial caps by leading various metrics like successful passes and possession regains for Nottingham Forest this season. Meanwhile, Henderson's experience and skill have been crucial for Brentford, making him an asset to Tuchel’s strategy against Wales.
The upcoming friendly against Wales offers Tuchel an opportunity to experiment with his squad while maintaining momentum from the Serbia victory. Fans expect no drop-off despite potential changes on Thursday. Craig Bellamy acknowledges the depth of talent within England’s ranks as he prepares his team to face formidable opponents at Wembley.
England aims to extend its winning streak against Wales while maintaining its strong form in competitive matches under Tuchel’s guidance. With strategic squad selections and tactical adjustments, they look poised to continue their success on the international stage amidst challenging fixtures ahead.
As both teams prepare for this encounter, fans eagerly anticipate how each side will perform given recent form and historical context between these neighbouring nations on the football field once again at Wembley Stadium soon enough!
