One of two teams left with a 100 percent winning record in the European qualifiers, England face what could well be the toughest challenge of their road to Qatar as they face Poland and an in form Robert Lewandowski. The Bayern Munich striker has three goals in his two qualifying matches so far this month and will be eager to prove himself against one of international football’s top defenses after missing the game at Wembley.
Here is how you can watch the match and what you need to know:
Viewing information
- Date: Wednesday, Sep. 8 | Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
- Location: PGE Narodowy — Warsaw, Poland
- TV/Live stream: ESPN+
- Odds: Poland +450; Draw +270; England -154 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Storylines
Poland: After a curious Euro 2020 in which they performed relatively well but ended up with only one point, Poland do at least seem to have found their scoring touch with victories over Albania and San Marino bringing with them 11 goals including a hat trick against the latter for New England Revolution’s Adam Buksa.
Those results will have served as a reminder to England boss Gareth Southgate that there is more to worry about than just Lewandowski, though he is well aware that there is more to Poland than their great striker. “When we’re preparing the team to play against Poland, we’re not just looking at Lewandowski,” said Southgate. “We absolutely respect what he brings and we know what a threat he is, but they’ve got some other very dangerous players as well.”
England: Five points clear at the top of the group, a win in Warsaw would all but guarantee qualification for Qatar even if further wins would be needed to formalize their status among the 32 teams. Southgate could name an entirely fresh team for the trip to Poland should he so wish having made 11 changes for the 4-0 win over Andorra.
Though such opposition rarely offer a great test for teams like England that win might also have Southgate considering whether there could be space for the impressive Jude Bellingham or Jesse Lingard in his side, the former in particular bringing composure and elegance to midfield and an ability to drive past players that Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips perhaps lack.
Prediction
Lewandowski is in such a fine vein of form that it is fair to assume that he will probably score and perhaps that will be enough to earn Poland a point at home. PICK: Poland 1 England 1
