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A closer look at England's World Cup qualifying clash against Andorra

England's Harry Kane challenges Andorra's Joan Cervos during the FIFA World Cup qualifier in June
England's Harry Kane challenges Andorra's Joan Cervos during the FIFA World Cup qualifier in JuneČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Bagu Blanco / PRESSINPHOTO
Villa Park plays host to an England match on Saturday for the first time since a 0-0 draw against the Netherlands in 2005.

Having only won four of the nine games played there (D4 L1), it's England's lowest win ratio at any home ground where they have played at least three times (44.4%).

Andorra are the opponents for the Three Lions' fourth World Cup qualifier, and despite Thomas Tuchel's side remaining the heaviest of favourites ahead of kick-off, a recent friendly loss to Senegal and some uninspiring performances under the German will have done nothing for squad confidence.

Already way out in front of the other teams in Group K, England will be looking to retain their 100% record as well as ensuring yet another clean sheet.

England toiled against Andorra in June

On paper they should walk to a big win, however, complacency against the same opponent back in June, in the days before the Senegal loss, saw England toil to a 1-0 win.

Only Harry Kane's 50th-minute goal separated the sides, despite the visitors having 83% possession and 10 shots on target.

England will also have a different look about them too with Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold, three of the biggest names in the squad, left out. Saka and Bellingham remain on the sidelines with injury, but the decision not to play Trent is a big call from Tuchel.

Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton might've expected to get a cap, however the midfielder has withdrawn from the squad through injury.

That has allowed a late call-up for AC Milan's Ruben Loftus-Cheek, whose last England appearance came in 2018, and for good measure Jarell Quansah has also been added to the squad at the 11th hour.

Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, Tottenham Hotspur's Djed Spence and Manchester City's James Trafford will also be hoping to join Quansah in receiving their England senior squad debut in Saturday evening's encounter.

Elliot Anderson Radar Graphic - Premier League 2024/25
Elliot Anderson Radar Graphic - Premier League 2024/25Opta by Stats Perform

Given that Andorra have been beaten 'to nil' in the previous seven encounters between the two sides, it would perhaps be remiss of Tuchel not to blood a few new faces whilst he has the chance.

Anderson in particular shouldn't necessarily be overlooked at this point. Forest's whirling dervish of a midfielder won possession back on 207 separate occasions last season, topped only by Moises Caicedo (229) and Bruno Fernandes (213).

With 56 tackles won in the same time frame, 37 chances created and 645 successful passes in the opposition half, not to mention his two goals and six assists, the 22-year-old's all-round and combative presence could perfectly dovetail with Declan Rice in the middle.

Andorra have won one of their last 27 matches

Only Luxembourg (nine) and San Marino (eight) have been faced more often when England have won every single game.

San Marino also provided the opposition for Andorra's only win from their last 27 matches (D5, L21), so it's little wonder that the latter are only being given a 1.1% chance of springing a surprise on Saturday.

Andorra's recent results
Andorra's recent resultsFlashscore

To put their woes into even more perspective, in their four qualifying games so far they've managed just two shots on target and 16 shots in total across the 360 minutes played. No team has had fewer shots on target and an xG of 0.9 makes for grim reading.

Andorra have lost their three previous away matches against England by an aggregate score of 15-0, and if they were to lose again on Saturday, it will be their second run of 15 competitive matches without a goal. 

A failure to score in the previous 14 (D2, L12) - since Albert Rosas' goal in the 2-1 loss to Israel in June 2023 - means it's been 21 hours and 38 minutes (and counting) since they could last celebrate seeing the ball hit the back of the net. 

Rashford or Watkins to deputise for Kane?

At present, England sit fourth in the FIFA World Rankings, and in games against teams in the top 20, Andorra have played 46 games and have lost all 46 by an aggregate score of 168-5.

The Three Lions are unbeaten in 34 World Cup qualifiers (W26 D8) since losing 1-0 to Ukraine in 2009, whilst they've not lost a qualifier at home since the last game at the old Wembley Stadium vs Germany back in 2000 (W27 D3).

Although Harry Kane will be looking to make it six consecutive games scored in for a fourth time, the chances are he could be rested for most of this game given that a much stiffer test against Serbia on Tuesday awaits.

His place could be taken by Ollie Watkins or Marcus Rashford, depending on whether Tuchel believes the latter needs some more game time under his belt after a stuttering start at Barcelona.

Jason Pettigrove
Jason PettigroveFlashscore