Euro 2012 Qualifying: England Vs. Switzerland

When the groups for Euro 2012 qualifying were drawn up, it looked as though the main barrier between England and first place in Group G were going to be Switzerland, who had recently come off a World Cup campaign that included a win over eventual champions Spain. Four matches in, and Switzerland are already six points behind England (and, more surprisingly, six behind Montenegro), and now they must travel to Wembley Stadium to pick up three points in order to have much hope of qualifying. It's not going to happen.

England, frankly, are better than Switzerland, even if the expectation is that they play a weak team thanks to the absences of Wayne Rooney and Andy Carroll up front, and to a lesser extent Michael Carrick in the midfield. We're probably going to see a 4-3-3 from England, with a back four of Ashley Cole, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Glen Johnson, while Scott Parker looks to continue his strong run by anchoring a trio alongside Frank Lampard and Jack Wilshere.

Up front we may well see an all-Aston Villa line, with Darren Bent the only true number nine available to Fabio Capello. Club teammate Ashley Young is almost certain to start, while Stewart Downing and Arsenal's Theo Walcott battle it out for the third spot. It's a potent forward line and will probably trouble Switzerland, who are going to hope that England mimic their last home qualifier (against Montenegro) and play out to a 0-0 draw.