Euro qualifier 2024: Is England vs Malta on TV? What’s the team news and who’s likely to earn their first cap?
England have already secured their sport for Euro 2024 in Germany but will be looking to win their last two games to secure the top spot in Group C and a high seeding at next summer’s tournament.
In their penultimate fixture, England face Malta at Wembley.
Malta are bottom of the group and without a point with just one match left to play.
They lost the reverse fixture 4-0 in June, failing to register a single shot. But they will be hoping, with several of England’s regular squad members out, they can get something out of this game.
When is England vs Malta?
England vs Malta is due to kick off at 7.45 pm GMT on Friday 17 November at Wembley Stadium in London.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the match live on Channel 4, with coverage on the channel from 7 pm GMT. A live stream will be available via the Channel 4 website and app.
Team news
Several of England’s key players, including Jude Bellingham and James Maddison, have withdrawn from England’s last two fixtures due to injury. Raheem Sterling was also oddly omitted from the England squad again, causing much backlash amongst fans due to his energetic performance at club level. But there is good news for others who have received their first international call-ups, such as Cole Palmer.
For Malta, Kemar Reid has earned his first call-up. Jodi Jones of Notts County should feature up front, while midfielder Teddy Teuma is also back amongst things after missing the fixture against Italy earlier in the month with an ankle injury.
Why is Jude Bellingham not playing for England?
The Telegraph reports Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill have pulled out of the squad, owing to shoulder injuries, but have not been replaced.
Their withdrawals follow those of James Maddison (ankle), Callum Wilson (hamstring) and Lewis Dunk (groin). Those three players have been replaced by Cole Palmer, Rico Lewis and Ezri Konsa.
Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips were both given permission to join up with the squad later than their team-mates, for unspecified personal reasons.
Raheem Sterling was again left out of Southgate’s squad. Sterling, once an automatic pick, has now missed five successive England squads and time is running out for him to force his way back into the reckoning for Euro 2024.
Manchester City’s John Stones also missed out on the squad, because of injury, while Chelsea’s Reece James was not included despite recently returning from a lengthy injury lay-off.
Predicted line-ups
England XI: Pickford; Walker, Maguire, Guehi, Trippier; Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Gallagher; Saka, Kane, Foden.
Malta XI: Bonnello; Mbong, S. Borg, Pepe, J. Borg, Camenzuli; Teuma, Guillaumier, Muscat; Jones, Nwoko.
Odds
England win 1/66
Draw 20/1
Malta win 66/1
Prediction
In front of a sold-out Wembley, we imagine it will be a fairly comfortable England win and hope to see some first caps get time in front of the home crowd – England 5-0 Malta