England vs Latvia: Home Team Expected to Dominate

Match Preview

The highly anticipated World Cup qualifying match between England and Latvia is set to kick off at 1:45 AM on March 25, 2025. The game, which will take place at Wembley Stadium, promises to showcase England's football prowess against a Latvian team that is currently experiencing a wave of optimism following their recent performance.

Latest Team News for England and Latvia

The England squad faces a notable injury concern with Anthony Gordon, who was sidelined due to a hip injury sustained while coming off the bench in a recent match. Coach Thomas Tuchel is unlikely to take risks with Gordon, especially as he vies for a spot in the upcoming World Cup in 2026. However, Gordon’s absence presents an opportunity for Morgan Gibbs-White, who did not feature in last Friday’s match. Tuchel may choose to rotate his lineup, providing Gibbs-White a chance to prove himself. Other key players, including Reece James, Jordan Henderson, Levi Colwill, and Jarrod Bowen, are also potential starters. Tuchel's approach appears to blend steadying established stars like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Declan Rice with the introduction of fresh talent, an intelligent strategy aimed at rejuvenating the squad without compromising its core strength.

On the Latvian side, the team arrives injury-free after their narrow victory over Andorra. Midfielder Deniss Melniks was substituted during that match for tactical reasons, with Dario Sits stepping in to score the decisive goal. Coach Dainis Nicolato may revert to a more defensive formation when facing an England team that holds a distinct advantage, although Sits’ recent success could earn him a starting spot.

Latvia’s aim will likely be to minimize their losses, as they are expected to spend significant time on the defensive against England's formidable attack.

Expected Lineups

England:

  • Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
  • Defenders: Reece James, Marc Guehi, Levi Colwill, Tino Livramento
  • Midfielders: Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson
  • Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Gibbs-White, Harry Kane

Latvia:

  • Goalkeeper: Andris Zviedris
  • Defenders: Vladislavs Jurkovskis, Dmitrijs Balodis, Edvards Cernomordijs
  • Midfielders: Arturs Savalnieks, Deniss Melniks, Nikita Savaljevs, Jānis Ciganiks
  • Forwards: Dmitrijs Zelenkovs, Raivis Ikaunieks, Artjoms Gutkovskis

Match Analysis

Thomas Tuchel’s tenure with England has garnered positive results thus far. Under his leadership, the team achieved a 2-0 victory over Albania, extending their unbeaten streak in World Cup qualifiers to 32 matches. The last time England lost a World Cup qualifying match at home was over two decades ago against Germany.

A standout performance from 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, who scored in his international debut, marked a highlight, making him the youngest player to score for England in his first game.

Meanwhile, Latvia currently occupies second place in Group K, riding high after their 1-0 win against Andorra. Although Dario Sits’ goal was invaluable, facing a superior England side presents a daunting challenge. Latvia has yet to qualify for a World Cup since gaining independence and will need to be exceptionally strategic against teams like England, Serbia, and Albania in their group.

This matchup marks the first meeting between the two national teams at the senior level. Football fans will recall the significant 20-0 victory by the England women's team over Latvia in 2021, highlighting the vast difference in footballing capabilities between the two nations.

Score Predictions

Based on current analysis and insights from leading football commentators, projections for the match result include:

  • Sportsmole: England 4-0 Latvia
  • WhoScore: England 3-0 Latvia
  • Our prediction: England 4-0 Latvia

How to Watch

Fans looking to catch the action live can tune into K+ Sport and K+PM or follow various online sports channels. With kickoff set for 1:45 AM, viewers can expect an exciting display of football as England seeks to solidify its position in the World Cup qualifying rounds.

Enjoy the match!