Euro 2012 qualifying preview: Montenegro v England

England and Montenegro face off in Podgorica on Friday with both sides fighting to book their places at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

England only need a point to qualify as group winners while Montenegro trail Fabio Capello’s men by six points with an inferior goal difference.

Montenegro will be going all out for victory against England and hope a win over Switzerland four days later will earn them the playoff spot.

The Montenegrins will clinch a playoff berth if they beat England and fail to beat Wales.

Switzerland, who are third in the group, play away to Wales on Friday and at home to Montenegro on October 11.

With eight points from six games, they will clinch a play-off spot if they win both their remaining matches.

Montenegro held England to a 0-0 draw at Wembley in their first meeting despite missing Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic through long-term injury.

After a home draw with Bulgaria and a 2-1 defeat in Wales forced coach Zlatko Kranjcar to step down last month, his replacement, former Espanyol midfielder Branko Brnovic, will be hoping that a fit and in-form Jovetic might prove to be the difference between the two sides.

Partnered by Juventus striker Mirko Vucinic upfront, Montenegro will look to exploit England’s defence.

Although Tottenham Hotspur’s Kyle Walker could well make his debut at right-back, the England manager has refused to gamble with Rio Ferdinand.

Capello will be buoyed at least by the rise of England’s young brigade.

Phil Jones has been a revelation for Manchester United this season, with Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka outstanding as usual.

Consistency and concentration, however, remain England’s Achilles heel and Capello will still have to look to Chelsea’s John Terry to provide composure at the back.

It is upfront that the Three Lions look the best.

Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck are in rampaging form for United and, with Frank Lampard looking revitalised after a hat-trick for Chelsea over the weekend, England should have too much firepower.