England vs Switzerland - England Team Preview

Bobby Zamora and Rio Ferdinand return to the squad for the first time in 2011, while there is also a recall for Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick.

Wayne Rooney is suspended for the qualifier with the Swiss, so Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Bobby Zamora are the forward options.

England squad in full GK - Scott Carson, Joe Hart, David Stockdale;

D - Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, John Terry, Kyle Walker;

M - Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Ashley Young;

S - Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Bobby Zamora.

Playing against Wales I believe that the 4-3-3 formation that the manager deployed worked beautifully and I would fully back Capello to play the same formation in this must-win game for the 3 lions. 

In the absense of usual starter Wayne Rooney this is the team I would select for a game against a solid reliable Swiss 11. In the 4-3-3 formation:

GK - Joe Hart

RB - Glen Johnson

CB - John Terry

CB - Rio Ferdinand

LB - Ashley Cole

CM - Scott Parker

CM - Jack Wilshere

CM - Frank Lampard

RW - Theo Walcott

ST - Darren Bent

LW - Ashley Young

The searing pace of the two wingers should cause a lot of problems for the opposition full backs and the midfield three combined well as both an attacking and defensive unit. Having Parker in there to shield the back 4 really gives a bit more freedom to Wilshere and Lampard to try and create things and make the team tick from the middle of the park. I think Bent would be the ideal choice from the 4 strikers that Capello picked for this qualifier as he proved against Wales he has got the ability to step up and perform at this level. 

I dont believe that England should have much trouble winning against the Swiss but who knows? This is England and whenever we feel things are starting to go well, a quick reality check brings us back down to Earth, As always I will be watching the game from the comfort of my living room and no doubt shouting at the screen when someone makes a mistake (Usually the useless Gareth Barry but fingers crossed he doesn't get selected!)

My score prediction for today is: ENGLAND 3 - 1 SWITZERLAND

After the game I will be doing a review of the England Team's performance and rating all the players' performances out of 10, Enjoy.

Matt Cooper