Croatia v England Preview: Beckham or Walcott?
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England will be looking to put their dismal experiences against Croatia as they prepare to confront Slaven Bilič's side in the second match of their World Cup qualifiers in Zagreb.
They suffered a 2-0 defeat in Zagreb at the start of their Euro 2008 qualifiers before losing 3-2 at Wembley, a result that led England to missed out on a place at Austria and Switzerland and ended Steve McClaren's career as manager.
And as they prepare for the crucial match, England manager Fabio Capello has an important decision to make - should he opt for Arsenal's 19-year-old Theo Walcott on the right side or stick with experience and wiser heads like David Beckham.
Walcott was more than impressed in the 2-0 victory over Andorra on Saturday, while his teammates citing frustration at a deep-lying defense.
But the pressure of Zagreb may force Capello to choose an older and more experience player like Beckham.
Becks, who made a 10-minute appearance at Andorra and hit some trademark passes, will make his 105th cap for England if he plays.
Capello is also expected to promote Joe Cole to replace Stewart Downing on the left of midfield after he came on as a substitute to score both goals against Andorra.
England's need for defensive stability could be satisfied by the return of Rio Ferdinand as the Manchester United defender passed fit to travel to Zagreb and will expect to return to the centre of defence alongside captain John Terry.
Croatia has not lost at home since 1994 and is confident after an opening 3-0 victory over Kazakhstan on Saturday.
Unlike England, the Croats has a settled lineup and the likes of Luka Modrić and Ivica Olić are keen to prove their recent victories over the Three Lions were no flukes.
Possible line-up:
Croatia: Stipe Pletikosa; Vedran Ćorluka, Robert Kovač, Josip Šimunić, Danijel Pranjić; Niko Kovač; Darijo Srna, Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić; Mladen Petrić, Ivica Olić
England: David James; Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ashley Cole; David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry, Joe Cole; Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey
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They suffered a 2-0 defeat in Zagreb at the start of their Euro 2008 qualifiers before losing 3-2 at Wembley, a result that led England to missed out on a place at Austria and Switzerland and ended Steve McClaren's career as manager.
And as they prepare for the crucial match, England manager Fabio Capello has an important decision to make - should he opt for Arsenal's 19-year-old Theo Walcott on the right side or stick with experience and wiser heads like David Beckham.
Walcott was more than impressed in the 2-0 victory over Andorra on Saturday, while his teammates citing frustration at a deep-lying defense.
But the pressure of Zagreb may force Capello to choose an older and more experience player like Beckham.
Becks, who made a 10-minute appearance at Andorra and hit some trademark passes, will make his 105th cap for England if he plays.
Capello is also expected to promote Joe Cole to replace Stewart Downing on the left of midfield after he came on as a substitute to score both goals against Andorra.
England's need for defensive stability could be satisfied by the return of Rio Ferdinand as the Manchester United defender passed fit to travel to Zagreb and will expect to return to the centre of defence alongside captain John Terry.
Croatia has not lost at home since 1994 and is confident after an opening 3-0 victory over Kazakhstan on Saturday.
Unlike England, the Croats has a settled lineup and the likes of Luka Modrić and Ivica Olić are keen to prove their recent victories over the Three Lions were no flukes.
Possible line-up:
Croatia: Stipe Pletikosa; Vedran Ćorluka, Robert Kovač, Josip Šimunić, Danijel Pranjić; Niko Kovač; Darijo Srna, Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić; Mladen Petrić, Ivica Olić
England: David James; Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ashley Cole; David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry, Joe Cole; Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey
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