September 4th 2016 will see the first of England’s World Cup 2018 qualifying matches with newly appointed manager Sam Allardyce at the helm. Big Sam will be hoping to kick off his international managerial career with a win over opponents Slovakia and bag the first available three points in a lengthy qualifying campaign.
The two teams have met a total of four times in previous competitions with England by far the most successful with a record of three wins and one draw in favour of the Lions. With a place in the Russia World Cup at stake, both teams will be sure to give it their all to get that first all important step on the ladder to qualification.
The only change of note in Big Sam’s first selection is West Ham winger Michail Antonio.
Goalkeepers Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)
Defenders Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Michail Antonio (West Ham United), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
Strikers Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)