• England v Wales

Wales aim to halt Capello's charge

Wayne Rooney scored twice against Bulgaria © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Capello criticises Arsenal over Wilshere treatment
  
• News: I'm the right role model for Carroll - Terry
  

All may seem rosy again in Fabio Capello's garden after his England side showed signs of blossoming in their 3-0 victory in Bulgaria, but Gary Speed's resurgent Wales players are determined not to be mowed down on the Wembley turf on Tuesday night. Welsh hopes of qualification for Euro 2012 are over but that certainly won't stop them wanting to harm the Three Lions' chances of reaching Poland and Ukraine; anything but an England win will leave Capello nervously awaiting a Group G showdown with Montenegro in October.

That clash with Montenegro would have been of greater importance had Wales not produced a stirring display to beat them on Friday. The Dragons have fire in their belly again after the shock win - their first competitive victory in almost two years - and it is no coincidence that the result was achieved with gifted pair Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale starting together for the first time. Ramsey becoming the youngest Wales captain to get on the scoresheet at the Millennium Stadium and the 20-year-old continues to demonstrate that he has plenty of maturity to complement his unquestionable raw talent.

With Ramsey's club team-mate Jack Wilshere unavailable due to injury, the make-up of England's central midfield has been an area of particular scrutiny in the aftermath of the Bulgaria game. Capello's decision to omit Chelsea stalwart Frank Lampard from his starting line-up has seen journalists clamouring to write obituaries to Lampard's international career, though the Italian has since stressed that Lampard "is one of the important players and one of the leaders of this squad".

Gareth Barry and Scott Parker were selected in the heart of midfield against Bulgaria in what was an effective, if uninspiring, selection, but Capello has suggested that a more expansive line-up could start against Wales. "Probably we can change the style to a different style to the one we played against Bulgaria because we are playing at home," Capello said.

England's most dangerous weapon though, remains Wayne Rooney. He netted a brace in Sofia and is enjoying a rich vein of early-season form; shackling the Manchester United striker will be key to Speed's chances of masterminding a result at Wembley, whether it be a first draw for Wales in 32 internationals or an unlikely first win over England since 1984.

England player to watch - Scott Parker. He may possess the slightly unusual record of becoming the first England player to receive his first four caps under four different managers, but Parker has cemented his place in Capello's midfield since playing for the first time under the Italian in February. The Tottenham midfielder has started England's last three Euro 2012 qualifiers - against Bulgaria, Switzerland and Wales - with his performance in March's victory at the Millennium Stadium his most impressive for the national team to date. A more animated protector of his defence than recent central-midfield partner Gareth Barry, Parker's tenacious, all-action approach should come to the fore against the Welsh.

Frank Lampard was forced to settle for a bench role against Bulgaria © Getty Images

Enlarge

Wales player to watch - Steve Morison. Three years after receiving the last of his caps for England C - non-league football's international representative team - Morison lines up against the country of his birth for the country of his grandmother. The Norwich City striker has enjoyed playing at Wembley previously, albeit at non-league level, having scored for Stevenage in their FA Trophy triumph in 2007 and their Blue Square Premier play-off final victory in 2009 and, fresh from bagging his first international goal, Morison will be hoping his predatory instincts will see that total doubled and ensure he leaves North London with a smile on his face once again.

Key battle - Gareth Bale v Chris Smalling. Last season's PFA Player of the Year dazzled against Montenegro despite playing in an unfamiliar right-wing role, with Craig Bellamy utilised on the left. But Bellamy's absence through suspension should see Bale switched to his natural position on the left of midfield, not least to attempt to capitalise on the international inexperience of England right-back Chris Smalling, whose debut last Friday was not wholly convincing. However, Smalling will be boosted by his commanding display when marking Bale during Manchester United's victory over Spurs last month.

Trivia: If England don't beat Wales they will equal their all-time record of five winless home games, last set in April 1981. The Three Lions have failed to beat Switzerland, Ghana, France and Montenegro in their past four matches at Wembley.

Stat: Frank Lampard has opened the scoring inside the first seven minutes of two of the last three clashes between England and Wales.

Odds: England (1.14), the draw (7.50) and Wales (21.00) are all available at bet365. Wayne Rooney can be backed to score a hat-trick at 11.00.

Prediction: Victory against Montenegro was a welcome boost for Wales, but without suspended pair Craig Bellamy and David Vaughan they will lack balance and England will send the Dragons back down the M4 with their tails between their legs.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.