Poland vs England: World Cup qualifying team news and prediction
England maintained their 100% start to World Cup qualifying with a resounding 4-0 win over Andorra on Sunday, but round off the September international break with arguably their toughest group stage test when they travel to Warsaw to face Poland.
Ahead of this clash, we provide all the pre-match information, including where the game takes place, how to watch this fixture, team news and probable XIs...
When is kick off?
Wednesday 8th September, 19:45 GMT
Where is the match?
PGE Narodowy, Warsaw (Poland)
What TV channel is it on?
ITV
Poland have impressed in their group stage outings thus far and sit second in Group I following their resounding 7-1 win in San Marino over the weekend. They have won both home matches and will be keen to make it three from three when England make the trip to Warsaw. The Three Lions are the only side to secure victory over Poland, but it was a close encounter as a Harry Maguire header five minutes from time earned all three points for Gareth Southgate's side back in March.
England have won all five matches in qualifying so far and hold a healthy lead at the top of Group I. They have won their two September international break matches, beating Hungary and Andorra by the same 4-0 scoreline and have conceded just once in their five games, with Brighton's Jakub Moder the only player to breach the Three Lions backline. Only Poland (18) have scored more goals in Group I than England (17) so this should be an entertaining clash in Warsaw.
Team News
Robert Lewandowski missed Poland's 2-1 loss to England back in March, but is fit and available for the reverse fixture. Karol Swiderski is set to partner Lewandowski on the frontline, however, after bagging a hat-trick from the bench against San Marino, Adam Buksa is pushing for a start. Paulo Sousa has flitted between a back five and a back four in the international break, and could plump for the former system against England. Piotr Zielinski and Bartosz Bereszynski are both expected to sit out the meeting with the Euro 2020 runners' up.
Tyrone Mings is suspended for the meeting with Poland after his booking against Andorra on Sunday, though he would have dropped out of the XI regardless with Gareth Southgate likely to make sweeping changes to his side. Harry Maguire is set to partner John Stones at the heart of the defence, while Luke Shaw and Kyle Walker are expected to make up the backline. Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish and Mason Mount should all return to the starting XI. Jadon Sancho and Dominic Calvert-Lewin both miss out through injury.
Probable XIs
Poland (352) - Szczesny; Bednarek, Glik, Dawidowicz; Jozwiak, Krychowiak, Moder, Linetty, Rybus; Buksa, Lewandowski
England (4231) - Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Phillips, Rice; Sterling, Mount, Grealish; Kane
Key Battle: Robert Lewandowski vs Harry Kane
Robert Lewandowski missed the reverse fixture due to injury, though Poland put in a good account of themselves despite his absence. The Bayern hitman was hauled off at the break against San Marino over the weekend with the game all but won as he netted twice and provided an assist in his 45-minute cameo. Lewandowski has hit six goals in qualifying and the in-form frontman will be looking to add to that record against England.
Coming off the bench against Andorra on Sunday, Harry Kane was on hand to net from the spot at Wembley, moving level with Michael Owen in fifth on 40 goals on the England record goalscorers leaderboard. That was goal one of four in qualifying for Kane, who has scored in every 2022 World Cup qualifier as he seeks to help maintain England's 100% record.
Score prediction: Poland 1-2 England
