England vs Chile - Preview and Predictions

The international break is not everyone’s cup of tea. However, with the Barclays Premier League festive season in the horizon, we can wait for all the rush that the Premier League brings for one week to avoid some overkill. Here is a preview of the first of two England friendlies.

Chile are the first visitors to Wembley since that joyous night in which England ensured qualification. Captain Steven Gerrard’s goal sealed qualification and brought joy to the anxious looking faces among the English public. And now, it is time to take a backseat and enjoy the various combinations that Roy Hodgson will try out before Rio 2014.

TEAM NEWS

England - Many minor niggles for England. Captain Steven Gerrard will play no part against Chile with a dodgy hip. Michael Carrick is out for six weeks and hence misses the game because of an Achilles surgery. Daniel Sturridge is highly doubtful. Daniel Welbeck hasn’t featured for Manchester United in the past few weeks and is said to have a hamstring injury. Long term absentees include Arsenal duo Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain.

Roy Hodgson also faces the dilemma of picking a new goalkeeper after Joe Hart’s mistakes cost him his place at Manchester City. Celtic man Fraser Forster is expected to debut while Norwich’s John Ruddy could feature as well.

In the wings, with the injuries to Walcott and Oxlade Chamberlain, Hodgson could opt for Southampton Captain Adam Lallana. Jay Rodriguez is also expected to feature.

Hodgson faces one other tough choice between Leighton Baines and Ashley Cole. But it is likely he will go for the Everton man. Glen Johnson is set to make his first England appearance in a long while.

Expected Line Up - Forster, Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines, Lallana, Lampard, Cleverley, Townsend, Rooney, Lambert.

Chile - The South Americans are full strength for this glamorous visit. Their star player is Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez who has been in fine form this season.

He has caused a stir when he claimed that England players are ‘soft’ as they ‘have everything easy’. Other stars include Juventus’ midifield engine Aturo Vidal. And Cardiff’s midfield hardman Gary Medel

Expected Line Up - Bravo, Isla, Jara, Gonzalez, Vidal, Silva, Medel, Fernandez, Mena, Sanchez, Vargas

RECENT FORM

England - England are unbeaten in their last five games. In fact, the only match they have lost under Roy Hodgson has been the 4-2 defeat in Stockholm to Zlatan Ibrahimoivc’s Sweden. Hodgson’s results read win against Poland and Montenegro, draw against Ukraine, wins against Moldova and Scotland.

Chile - The South Americans beat Ecuador , drew with Colombia and Spain (away from home) while beating Venezuela and putting six past Iraq. Clearly, unbeaten in five, they are no pushovers.

MEN TO LOOK OUT FOR

England - The three lions have dangerous players all over the pitch but Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney is in scintillating form . He is on the back of a match winning performance against Arsenal.

Chile - People might go for Alexis Sanchez but look out for Eduardo Vargas who netted two goals against Spain in their shock 2-2 draw.

PREDICTION - England are just a tad better and the line up expected is a pretty attacking one. 2-1 to England