England vs Norway preview

September 2, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

England vs NorwayThe match at the Wembley Stadium in London will serve as the final warm-up game for both England and Norway ahead of their first Euro 2016 qualifiers.

Big expectations amounted to nothing one more time as the Three Lions crashed out of the 2014 World Cup in group stage, winning just one point from three fixtures.

The national team chiefs, nonetheless, decided to stick with Roy Hodgson, but midfielders Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard have since retired from international duty.

The boss in turn opted to call four uncapped players for the friendly against Norway and Euro 2016 qualifier in Switzerland, with Danny Rose, Calum Chambers, Jack Colback and Fabian Delph getting a chance to impress.

Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Kyle Walker, Ross Barkley, Theo Walcott and Michael Carrick miss out through injury, with Wayne Rooney appointed the new captain.

With the players now determined to put the World Cup failure behind them, England are available at 1.53 (8/15) to see off Norway at Wembley.

Chances are all four uncapped players will get a chance to shine on Wednesday, even if Hodgson is expected to field a very strong side.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Hart – Chambers, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines – Henderson, Wilshere – Chamberlain, Rooney, Sterling – Sturridge.

Norway have largely struggled to meet the expectations of late, but they have a decent chance of qualifying for the Euro 2016.

The Nordic side were placed in the same group as Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan and Malta, while the opening match against Italy on 9th September will be a perfect test to team’s ambitions.

Norway will first have to negotiate a friendly against England at Wembley, where they are 8.00 (7/1) to shock the hosts and emerge victorious.

Despite being one of the best players on the pitch in the friendly draw with UAE, 15-year-old Martin Odegaard has been left out of the squad, just like several high-profile players.

Brede Hangeland, Tore Reginiussen, Christian Grindheim, Daniel Braaten and Mohammed Abdellaoue have all been overlooked.

This is enough to suggest boss Per-Mathias Hogmo has decided to rejuvenate his squad, but it remains to be seen whether this was the right time to do it.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Jarstein – Linnes, Hagen, Forren, Flo – Daehli, Skjelbred, Tettey, M. Elyounoussi – King, T. Elyounoussi.

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