England v Peru - International Friendly Preview

England meet Peru in this first warm-up friendly for the forthcoming World Cup. No-one is quite sure what to expect from England in Brazil, but after a core of young English players were central to Liverpool’s climb up the Premier League table and strong title challenge, there is more of a feeling of optimism surrounding the team than there was a few months ago.

Roy Hodgson is likely to pick a strong team for this match with the South American side who have not qualified for the Brazilian tournament. Although it is a match that England would usually be expected to win, the emphasis on this occasion will be more on coming through the game without injury, and giving as many players as possible some game time ahead of the World Cup proper.

This should mean that many of England’s key players are selected for this friendly, we could mean run outs for the likes of Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Leighton Baines. Elsewhere, there are few England players who can be absolutely certain of their place in the starting eleven for England’s first fixture, and the line-up selected against Peru will give observers a nod regarding Roy Hodgson’s first choice side.

In goal, Joe Hart is a certainty, and it seems that England have a settled defence, with Glenn Johnson, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka and Baines all highly likely to start both this game and England’s World Cup Opener. But in midfield and attack, Roy Hodgson’s preferred line-up is far from settled. Only Rooney and Gerrard can be certain of their places elsewhere there are a lot of seemingly equally compelling options. Most England fans would surely like to see Daniel Sturridge in an England shirt given his excellent club form, but this would leave Hodgson with a conundrum regarding how to accommodate Rooney and maintain balance in midfield.

Two young players who have had excellent seasons are Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling, and both are wanted in the starting eleven by many England fans. But this is far from certain, and Hodgson may opt for the more defensively minded James Milner to occupy one of the wide positions, particularly if both Sturridge and Rooney are to be fielded. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also merits consideration. In central midfield, Jordan Henderson could start alongside his Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard, but young starlets Ross Barkley and Jack Wilshere are also in with a shout. Playing Henderson and Gerrard as a defensive shield might enable more attacking options to be utilised elsewhere in the side.

Whatever mix Hodgson opts for, one would expect England to be far too strong for a Peruvian team who lost nine qualifiers during the CONMEBOL 2014 campaign. With few stars and well-known players, this is a workaday Peru side, and England should outclass them all over the field. A morale boosting victory ahead of a tough World Cup group would be very welcome indeed for Roy Hodgson’s squad.

Safe Bet – England to lead at Half Time / Full Time (5/6 with BetVictor) Value Bet – England to win by 2 goals (3/1 with bet365)

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30/05/2014     © Frixo 2026