England head coach Fabio Capello is expected to name an unchanged line-up for Sunday’s World Cup second round clash with Germany in Bloemfontein.
The central defensive axis was the area of debate for Capello ahead of the game, with Matthew Upson, Ledley King and Jamie Carragher all in contention to partner John Terry.
Each of Upson, Carragher and King have started one game so far in this World Cup but Upson is expected to retain his place despite King having recovered from injury and Carragher being available after a ban.
James Milner and Jermain Defoe were the other two changes to Capello’s side for the game against Slovenia on Wednesday and after that pair combined for the game’s only goal, it is no surprise that they will retain their places to face Germany.
German boss Jogi Loew is without left back Jerome Boateng and striker Cacau, but key midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is expected to be fit after a hamstring problem. Bayern Munich pair Holger Badstuber and Miroslav Klose should return to the side.
Germany (probable): Neuer; Lahm, Mertesacker, Friedrich, Badstuber; Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Ozil; Muller, Klose, Podolski.
England (probable): James; Johnson, Terry, Upson, A. Cole; Milner, Barry, Lampard, Gerrard; Rooney, Defoe.
