World Cup Qualifier: England vs Andorra Preview
England looks to maintain its perfect record in World Cup qualifiers as they take on Andorra. Read more.
Thomas Tuchel might consider giving some new players a chance in the England squad, especially given Andorra's past performances...
England takes on Andorra at Villa Park in Birmingham for a crucial World Cup qualifier. This match marks the first time England has played at Villa Park since a 0-0 draw against the Netherlands in 2005. Interestingly, England's performance at this venue has been relatively lackluster, with only four wins in nine games (four draws and one loss), resulting in a 44.4% win ratio - the lowest at any home ground where they've played at least three times.
Despite the questionable form at Villa Park, England's overall record against Andorra is impressive. The Three Lions have won all seven previous encounters without conceding a single goal. In their most recent meeting, Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win for England. Given their strong start to the qualifiers with three wins, England aims to maintain their dominance in Group K and keep their World Cup hopes alive.
England is expected to dominate possession and create scoring opportunities, while Andorra will likely focus on frustrating England's attack and capitalizing on set pieces or counterattacks.
A warm welcome to Villa Park, lads! 👋 pic.twitter.com/RnZcNq5Muv
— England (@England) September 6, 2025
England takes on Andorra in their fourth World Cup qualifier, with the Three Lions remaining the heavy favorites despite a recent friendly loss to Senegal. Uninspiring performances under Thomas Tuchel might have dented squad confidence, but the team's 100% record in Group K is on the line.
Group K Standings
England tops Group K with a perfect record, and today's win would further solidify their position. Their next away match against Andorra is scheduled for June 7, 2025, at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.
England's Struggle Against Andorra
England's match against Andorra in June was a wake-up call, as the team struggled to break down the minnow's defense despite dominating possession. Harry Kane's 50th-minute goal proved to be the difference-maker, securing a 1-0 win for England. Despite having 83% possession and 10 shots on target, England's performance was far from convincing, raising concerns about their ability to perform against tougher opponents.
In the upcoming match, England will have a different lineup, with notable absences including Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham, who are out with injuries. However, Trent Alexander-Arnold's absence is a surprise, as he wasn't included in the starting lineup by Thomas Tuchel. This decision has sparked questions about Tuchel's strategy and team management. With Saka and Bellingham sidelined, England's attacking options will be limited, and the team's performance may suffer as a result.
England's recent performances, including the win against Andorra, have raised concerns about the team's ability to deliver convincing wins. Despite their 100% record in Group K, England's display against Andorra was criticized for lacking urgency, quality, and energy. Tuchel's side will need to improve significantly if they want to make a strong impression in the World Cup qualifiers.
Adam Wharton's injury has opened the door for new additions to the England squad. The Crystal Palace midfielder's withdrawal due to a groin injury suffered during Crystal Palace's 3-0 win at Aston Villa has paved the way for AC Milan's Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah to join Thomas Tuchel's group.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek returns to the England squad for the first time in six years, marking a significant comeback. His last appearance for England was in 2018. Loftus-Cheek and Quansah will join the squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.
Several young players are vying for their senior squad debut, including Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, Tottenham Hotspur's Djed Spence, and Manchester City's James Trafford. They'll be looking to follow in Jarell Quansah's footsteps and make a lasting impression on the team.
Thomas Tuchel might consider giving some new players a chance in the England squad, especially given Andorra's past performances. In their last seven encounters, England has beaten Andorra without conceding a single goal. This could be an opportunity for players like Elliot Anderson to shine. Anderson, Nottingham Forest's skilled midfielder, demonstrated impressive skills last season, winning possession back 207 times, just behind Moises Caicedo and Bruno Fernandes.
Potential Debutants:
- Elliot Anderson: Nottingham Forest's talented midfielder, known for winning possession back 207 times last season
- Djed Spence: Tottenham Hotspur's full-back, looking to make a strong impression
- James Trafford: Manchester City's goalkeeper, vying for a debut
- Ruben Loftus-Cheek: AC Milan's midfielder, returning to the England squad after a seven-year absence
- Jarell Quansah: Bayer Leverkusen's defender, added to the squad at the last minute
Tuchel's squad selection will likely be influenced by the team's performance in the World Cup qualifiers. With a 100% record so far, Tuchel will aim to maintain this momentum while assessing his players' abilities. The matches against Andorra and Serbia will provide valuable insights into the team's strengths and weaknesses.
Elliot Anderson's impressive stats make a strong case for his inclusion in the England lineup. With 56 tackles won, 37 chances created, and 645 successful passes in the opposition half, Anderson's all-round skills are evident. His two goals and six assists last season further highlight his potential. Anderson's combative presence could complement Declan Rice well in midfield, providing a dynamic partnership that could enhance England's performance.
Andorra's Slim Chances Against England
Andorra's recent performance hasn't been impressive, with only one win in their last 27 matches. Interestingly, their sole victory came against San Marino, highlighting the team's struggles. England, on the other hand, has dominated their encounters with Andorra, winning every single game. Given this trend, it's no surprise that Andorra's chances of an upset are estimated at just 1.1%. San Marino and Luxembourg are the only teams England has faced more frequently than Andorra in these qualifiers.
Andorra's struggles are evident in their qualifying campaign stats. They've managed only 2 shots on target and 16 total shots across 360 minutes of play in four qualifying games. This dismal performance puts them at the bottom in terms of shots on target, with an expected goals (xG) rate of 0.9 that's far from reassuring.
Historically, Andorra has fared poorly against England, losing their last three away matches with a staggering aggregate score of 15-0. If they lose again, they'll extend their goal drought to 15 competitive matches, a dire streak that would continue their recent struggles. Andorra's last goal was scored by Albert Rosas in a 2-1 loss to Israel in June 2023, marking a barren spell that's lasted 21 hours and 38 minutes without finding the net.
England's Potential Lineup Against Andorra
Marcus Rashford and Ollie Watkins are competing to deputise for Harry Kane in England's lineup against Andorra. Watkins has been in impressive form for Aston Villa, scoring 25 goals or assists in 12 months under Unai Emery, and he thinks his performances have gone under the radar. Rashford, on the other hand, has struggled with form at Manchester United but has been reliable for England, scoring 17 international goals since 2016.
Andorra has a dismal record against top-20 teams, losing all 46 games with an aggregate score of 168-5. This suggests England should have a relatively easy time securing a win. England's fourth-place ranking in the FIFA World Rankings further solidifies their position as favorites.
The Three Lions are on a 34-match unbeaten streak in World Cup qualifiers, with 26 wins and 8 draws since losing 1-0 to Ukraine in 2009. At home, England has not lost a qualifier since 2000, boasting a record of 27 wins and 3 draws. This impressive performance indicates England's strength in qualifying matches.
Harry Kane's impressive scoring streak could see him rested for parts of the match against Andorra, with a tougher test against Serbia looming on Tuesday. This potential break might give another striker a chance to shine. Two potential replacements for Kane are Ollie Watkins and Marcus Rashford.
Potential Replacements:
- Ollie Watkins: Aston Villa's striker has been in top form, and Tottenham Hotspur has even identified him as a potential replacement for Harry Kane if he were to leave. Watkins' impressive performance might just earn him some playing time.
- Marcus Rashford: After a slow start at Barcelona, Rashford might need some more game time to get back to his best. If Tuchel decides to give him a chance, Rashford could prove himself as a worthy replacement for Kane.
Match Details
The highly anticipated match kicks off today at 5 pm BST at Villa Park, home of Aston Villa Football Club. This will be the first senior men's international at Villa Park in over 20 years, with the last match being a goalless draw against the Netherlands in February 2005.
Team Performance
Given England's strong lineup and past performances, they'll likely aim to secure another clean sheet. Let's catch the live updates and analysis on Sky Sports for the latest match news and score
Ready to face Andorra 💪 pic.twitter.com/BGAwJAdMYQ
— England (@England) September 6, 2025
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