England vs Malta preview, match details, how to watch and predictions

England continue their Euro 2024 qualification campaign when they take on Malta at Wembley Stadium on Friday night safe in the knowledge they’ve already secured qualification to the finals.

The Three Lions have been virtually faultless during the qualifiers and booked their place at Euro 2024 with two games to spare following an impressive 3-1 win over Italy in London last month. Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring for the visitors and it looked like Italy could throw Group C wide open with a win at Wembley. However, Harry Kane levelled things up from the penalty spot before Marcus Rashford put England ahead shortly after half-time. Kane scored his second of the game to seal the win for England and guarantee their place at Euro 2024.

England have won five and drawn one of their six group games so far, with the 1-1 draw in Ukraine in September the only time they’ve dropped points. They sit three points above Ukraine – who’ve played a game more – and six ahead of Italy so victory on Friday would secure top spot for England. That would mean Monday’s trip to North Macedonia would be nothing more than a training exercise for the Three Lions and Gareth Southgate could give some of his key men a well-earned rest.

Southgate is still expected to rotate his side for Friday’s clash with Malta, but he’s been hit with a number of withdrawals from his squad so he may take this opportunity to field a strong side in order to aid preparations for next summer’s tournament.

England have lost just one European Championship qualifier since 2007 and that record is unlikely to be tested at home to Malta. The visitors sit bottom of Group C with zero points having lost all seven of their qualifiers so far. England won the reverse fixture 4-0 back in June and are expected to ease to victory at Wembley Stadium.

Match details

• England vs Malta will take place on Friday, November 17 2023.
• The game will kick-off at 7:45pm GMT.
• England’s final home game of their qualifying campaign will take place at Wembley Stadium.
• The Three Lions won the reverse fixture 4-0 in June.

How to watch

The game will be broadcast live in the UK on Channel 4, with coverage starting at 7pm GMT. Supporters can also stream the match live online via the Channel 4 app and on their website.

Despite England already qualifying for the finals, Wembley is expected to be sold-out on Friday as tickets via England’s official channels have all been sold. However, fans can still buy England vs Malta tickets are reputable reselling sites such as Seatsnet.com.

Team news

Southgate will be without several regulars after a number of players were forced to pull out of the squad with injury issues. Jude Bellingham has missed Real Madrid’s last three games with a shoulder injury and he’s not expected to be fit for another two weeks so the youngster has been withdrawn from England duty. It’s a big blow as Bellingham has been in terrific form for Madrid since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, and he’s forged a reputation as one of the best midfielders in Europe.

James Maddison has also withdrawn from the England squad after suffering an ankle injury during Tottenham’s 4-1 defeat to Chelsea last week. Maddison has been in excellent form since joining Spurs from Leicester City in the summer and he was hoping to stake his claim for a starting spot with England by impressing against Malta. However, the attacking midfielder has been ruled out until the end of the year with his ankle problem.

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill is another absentee as he’s been ruled out with a shoulder injury that he picked up last week. Colwill missed the 4-4 thriller with Manchester City on Sunday and after being assessed by England’s medical staff on Monday, it was decided he wasn’t fit to represent his country during the international break so he’s returned to Chelsea to continue his treatment.

Callum Wilson was in-line to get an opportunity to start either against Malta on Friday or North Macedonia on Monday. However, the striker sustained a hamstring injury during Newcastle United’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend. Tests showed the injury is serious and Wilson is expected to be out for around six weeks, so he’s the latest to withdraw from the England squad.

Lewis Dunk is another player who’s been forced to pull out of international duty this week. The Brighton defender would have hoped to feature over the next two games after impressing with his club this season. But Dunk missed the game against Sheffield United at the weekend after picking up an injury against Ajax last week, and subsequently withdrew from the England squad.

As a result, Southgate has called up Cole Palmer following his impressive form for Chelsea recently. Man City’s Rico Lewis has also been called up to the England squad along with Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa. Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips joined-up with the England squad late due to personal matters but they should still be in contention to face Malta.

Predicted line-up

Southgate should take the opportunity to rotate his team and take a look at some fringe players, but we should still expect to see a strong starting eleven. Sam Johnstone could get the nod over Aaron Ramsdale in goal while Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker should start in defence. Marc Guehi has the opportunity to stake his claim for a regular place with John Stones out injured while Kieran Trippier could start at left-back.

Trent Alexander-Arnold may get another chance to impress in a midfield role for England. Declan Rice may get a rest with Jordan Henderson coming in to start along with Conor Gallagher. Kalvin Philips is another option but he may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Harry Kane has been in sensational form for Bayern Munich this season and he could lead the line up front. Kane is highly unlikely to play the full ninety minutes so Ollie Watkins is on stand-by to get a run out in attack.

Bukayo Saka has been carrying a knock recently so it would be a surprise to see the Arsenal man start on Friday. Jarrod Bowen could get a run out while Phil Foden is likely to feature on the opposite flank. Jack Grealish is also pushing to start along with Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.

Likely XI: Johnstone; Walker, Guehi, Maguire, Trippier; Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Gallagher; Bowen, Kane, Foden

Prediction

England will be without several important players but they should still have way too much quality for Malta on Friday. The visitors won’t pose any serious challenge for the Three Lions and it should be a comfortable win for Southgate’s side at Wembley. England 4-0 Malta