UEFA's bizarre decision to slap another international break in the middle of a global pandemic will never make sense, let alone adding an extra fixture in. England kick off their triple-header over the next week with a friendly against local rivals Wales.
In the build up to their first meeting in four years, we have all your need-to-know match info in one place. Including when kick off is, where you can watch it, as well as team news, probable XIs and predicted scoreline.
When is kick off?
Thursday 8th October, 20:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Wembley Stadium, London
Where can I watch it?
ITV / S4C
Previous Meeting
The last time these two sides faced off Roy Hodgson was managing England and Chris Coleman was in charge of Wales. It was Euro 2016 and England battled back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 courtesy of a Daniel Sturridge last-gasp winner.
Gareth Bale opened the scoring for Wales after Joe Hart's blunder on the stroke of half-time before Hodgson replaced Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane at half-time for Jamie Vardy and Sturridge. Vardy drew England level 10 minutes later before Sturridge scored the winner in injury time.
Current managers Gareth Southgate and Ryan Giggs have called on five players each that were involved in the matchday squad from their last meeting.
Team News
Another international break and another mess for Southgate to deal with. After Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden's debacle last month, Jadon Sancho, Ben Chilwell and Tammy Abraham have let themselves down this time. All three have been ruled out of this match after flouting coronavirus rules and attending a party with more than six people. Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling has been forced to pull out of the squad with a hamstring injury.
With two UEFA Nations League qualifiers to come, Southgate has confirmed plans to shuffle his pack for this friendly. The Three Lions boss has called up five uncapped players, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Harvey Barnes and Dominic Calvert-Lewin set to start here. Jordan Pickford will also be replaced in goal, with Nick Pope expected to get the nod over Dean Henderson.
Wales were already depleted heading into this friendly with Gareth Bale ruled out and the added absence of former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey will make things even more difficult for Ryan Giggs' side. Joe Allen, Hal Robson-Kanu and Tom Lockyer are also sidelined for the away side. With experience missing, Giggs has no choice but to place his faith in youth, though that is no problem for the ex-Manchester United winger. Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Neco Williams, David Brooks and Dan James are all the ones to watch.
Probable XIs
England (343): Pope; Dier, Coady, Keane; Trippier, Winks, Phillips, Saka; Ings, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish
Wales (4231): Hennessey; Williams, Rodon, Ampadu, Davies; Morrell, Smith; Brooks, Williams, James; Moore
Key Battle: Jack Grealish vs Dan James
🏴 Top rated Englishmen in the Premier League this season
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) October 8, 2020
🥇 @JackGrealish - 8.54
🥈 @CalvertLewin14 - 8.32
🥉 @HKane - 8.31
🙌 Grealish and Calvert-Lewin in line to make their first start for The Three Lions tonight pic.twitter.com/oJTp5XfLxk
Had Ole Gunnar Solskjaer got his way this summer then Jack Grealish and Dan James would be facing off this evening as Manchester United team-mates. Instead he has been forced to watch Grealish make a flying start to the season with Villa, while James can barely get a kick for United.
Grealish became the first player to have a direct hand in five goals against Liverpool in a single Premier League game in their remarkable 7-2 win over the champions before the international break. Overall, the Villa captain has scored or assisted six times in three league games this season. James, meanwhile, started United's opening defeat to Crystal Palace but was subbed at half-time and hasn't featured in the league since.
James did at least get some joy for Wales during the September international break and with Ramsey and Bale missing he will have to step up in order for Wales to have any hope of upsetting England at Wembley.
