England have a reputation for securing qualification for major tournaments in a relatively comfortable manner. Qualification for World Cup 2018 may prove to be no different, as Gareth Southgate’s side are top of Group F.
On Monday night, their unbeaten record will be tested by the visit of second-place Slovakia, who are just two points behind the home side. An away win would move the visitors into pole position to seal the one automatic qualification spot for next year’s finals.
However, Slovakia winning at Wembley may be easier said than done, as the Three Lions are unbeaten in their last 18 World Cup qualifiers.
England are also unbeaten in 21 World Cup qualifiers on home soil, producing 19 victories in the process. They are certainly a formidable prospect on home soil, as they have won their last seven qualifiers, scoring two or more goals in each of those seven wins.
To add to the case for a home win, England have beaten the visitors in four of the last five competitive meetings, with Slovakia failing to even score a goal in the last three encounters.
One cause for hope for Slovakia is that Southgate’s side struggled to break down Malta in their last outing, but eventually defeated the group whipping boys 4-0 with a late flurry of goals.
Slovakia will head into this game in good spirits after five consecutive victories in World Cup qualifying, including a vital 1-0 victory over Slovenia last time out.
The visitors have recorded wins in their last two away qualifiers in Malta and Lithuania. However, England should be far tougher opposition and it seems unlikely that away winning run will continue in London
Forebet predicts that England will record a narrow victory in this clash, which is understandable, as Slovakia have conceded just four goals in qualifying and England have conceded just two.