England vs Latvia Match Preview

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Latvia travel to London on Monday to face England in the second fixture of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Latvia beat Andorra in a 1-0 win where Riga FC keeper Krišjānis Zviedris got a clean sheet on his national team debut. Meanwhile England’s new manager Thomas Tuchel got a 2-0 win over Albania on his debut with the Three Lions. 

Harry Kane celebrating with the team after scoring against Albania
Image Source: England Football Team Facebook Page

Tuchel has made a few changes in England's back line as Arsenal left-back Myles Lewis Skelly became the youngest player in history to score on his senior England debut which was against Albania. With a 94% pass accuracy rate and having won 71% of the duels he's faced in this season's Premier League, the 18-year old will be ready for Monday. A key player for the Three Lions is Jude Bellingham who controls the middle of the park, has scored seven goals and got six assists for Real Madrid in the La Liga this season. He's also played a vital role on winning last season's Champions League with Real Madrid, as well as getting the Three Lions to the final of Euro 2024. I can't write about England without mentioning Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane who's scored a whopping 21 goals in 24 Bundesliga appearances as well as ten goals in eleven Champions League appearances this season. 

Myles Lewis Skelly appalling the English fans after his debut vs Albania
Image Source: England X Account

Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham will be up against the defensive pairing of Antonijs Černomordijs and Daniels Balodis. Černomordijs is solid at the back as his club side Riga FC only conceded 23 goals in 36 matches of the 2024 Virsliga season. Balodis has a 79% pass accuracy rate as well as winning 69% of the aerial duels he's faced in the Scottish Premiership with St Johnstone. Having also being a part of RFS qualifying to the Europa League, he could a key role against England. Up front Latvia have Dario Šits who is having a breakout season with Dutch club Helmond Sport having scored five goals and two assists in 17 appearances in the Eerste Divisie (2nd tier). The 21-year old made his national team debut last October, and has wasted no time in making an impact having scored twice in four appearances. Having scored the winner against Andorra, Šits will be ready to show himself against top opposition. 

Dario Šits celebrates his goal vs Andorra with the Latvian fans
Image Source: Futbols Facebook Page

Latvia will have their work cut out for them against the Three Lions especially with Aberdeen defender Kristers Tobers being injured, however they will be excited to play in Wembley against world class opposition. England also have a few players injured such as Arsenal & Newcastle wingers Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon however still have the depth to beat most teams. England manager Thomas Tuchel has said that England are the clear favourites against Latvia and added "It's not clear to predict what they will do. We expect a back 5, we expect a 5-3-2 or a 5-4-1". Will Latvia do the unthinkable and win, or will Monday night be a routine victory for England? We will see on Monday.

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