The Opposition:

The Montenegro national football team was formed in 2006 after the nation gained its independence from Serbia. Formerly known as Serbia & Montenegro the Montenegrins were predicted to struggle with, at the time of the split, just one Montenegrin born player representing the national side. However, the small country, with a population of just 672,180 have been impressive so far in their short international career and posses some excellent talents in their squad, namely Mirko Vucinic, the national sides top scorer, who has made a name for himself playing for Roma. Montenegro are currently ranked 40^th in the FIFA World rankings.

The Form Book:

Both England and Montenegro have 100% records so far in the group however, Montenegro have played three games as opposed to England’s two, meaning that they top the group. “The Brave Falcons” haven’t conceded a goal so far in qualifying, in-fact they haven’t conceded in over 6 hours of international football, and Montenegro have become the 1-0 specialists winning every game during the group stage so far by that scoreline. They travel to Wembley on the back of an impressive victory over Switzerland. England, looking to put the nightmare of the World Cup behind them, have started this qualifying campaign well with comfortable victories over Bulgaria and Switzerland.  

Key Players:

Marko Vucinic: The star of Montenegro national football is Mirko Vucinic. After forming a career in Italy’s top division, where his scoring record is impressive – 53 goals in 121 appearances, Vucinic’s form at international level has also been good – 10 goals in 21 games. The striker possesses great pace and is clinical in-front of goal. Vucinic is Montenegro’s major goal hope and they will be relying on him to produce his best form to break England’s somewhat nervy defence down.

Steven Gerrard: Since being handed the England captaincy the Liverpool midfielder has excelled, perhaps partly due to the inclusion of Gareth Barry alongside him rather than Frank Lampard, and Gerrard was one of the few England players to return from South Africa with any credit. The fit again Rio Ferdinand will be looking to regain the captain’s armband and Gerrard will be expected to replicate his current England form with or without the armband.

The Squads

England:

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster (Birmingham City), Robert Green (West Ham United), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defenders: Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Joe Cole (Liverpool), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Aston Villa)

Strikers: Darren Bent (Sunderland), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Kevin Davies (Bolton Wanderers), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Fabio Capello’s side has been hampered by injuries to John Terry, Phil Jagielka and Darren Bent since the initial squad was announced. A minor striking crisis with injuries to Jermaine Defoe, Bobby Zamora and Gabriel Agbonlahor has meant that Kevin Davies has been named in an England squad for the first time.

Montenegro:

Goalkeepers: Mladen Bozovic (Videoton FC), Srdan Blazic (Standard Liege), Ivan Janjusevic (FK Mogren Budva)

Defenders:  Marko Basa (Lokomotiv Moscow), Savo Pavicevic (Maccabi Tel-Aviv ), Miodrag Dzudovic (Spartak Nalchik), Milan Jovanovic (Spartak Nalchik), Stefan Savic (Partizan), Luka Pejovic (FK Mogren Budva), Zarko Tomasevic (CD Nacional), Radoslav Batak (FK Mogren Budva)

Midfielders: Elsad Zverotic (Luzern), Milorad Pekovic (Greuther Fuerth), Mitar Novakovic (Amkar Perm), Vladimir Bozovic (Rapid Bucharest), Simon Vukcevic (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Branko Boskovic (DC United), Mladen Kascelan (Jagiellonia Białystok)

Forwards: Mirko Vucinic (Roma), Radomir Djalovic (HNK Rijeka), Fatos Beciraj (Dinamo Zagreb), Andrija Delibasic (Rayo Vallecano de Madrid), Dejan Damjanovic (FC Seoul).

The national side’s best young prospect, Steven Jovetic (Fiorentina) misses out due to injury, as does experienced central midfielder Ivan Fatic (Cesena) and Spartak Moscow midfielder Nikola Drincic.

Match Odds (William Hill)

England – 1/4 Draw – 4/1 Montenegro – 14/1

Conclusion

England should win this match but it won’t be as easy as some pundits suggest. The away side have a very good defensive record and with the creative Simon Vukcevic in midfield and Mirko Vucinic up-front they have the ability to score goals. England’s squad isn’t anywhere near full strength and it can be exposed defensively, especially now John Terry has been injured. I expect an England victory but it won’t be as comfortable as the match odds seem to suggest.