England v Switzerland

England host Switzerland this weekend as they continue their quest to qualify for Euro 2012, writes Thomas Rooney.

Fabio Capello’s currently men sit top of Group G, but with Montenegro level on points with them, it is a must win game on Saturday.

England fans will need no reminder of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign when they missed out on a place in the finals.

This showed that teams like England have no automatic right to be in the major tournaments, so the better position they put themselves in at the top of Group G, the better.

It would also be refreshing for England if they could get qualification confirmed as early as possible, thus avoiding any last minute panic.

Ideally, the last couple of games will be irrelevant meaning Capello can use them as warm-up matches for the upcoming tournament.

For now though, focus should be on beating Switzerland. An impressive performance in Basel saw England run out 3-1 winners the last time the two sides met and they will be hoping for a repeat on Saturday.

The importance of the game has perhaps been overshadowed by the end of the domestic campaign and various FIFA scandals, but England need to make sure they are fully focused on the job in hand because dropped points are not an option.

Looking at the England team news, they are set to rely upon Darren Bent and Ashley Young to provide the main attacking threat with Wayne Rooney, Andy Carroll, Steven Gerrard and Jermaine Defoe unavailable.

They should have enough to come out on top though and are overwhelming favourites to emerge victorious at Wembley. The return of Rio Ferdinand is significant in terms of England maintaining their focus and he will partner John Terry in defence.

Jack Wilshere will be involved too after he withdrew from England Under-21 duty. He is likely to operate in midfield alongside Frank Lampard and Scott Parker.

As for Switzerland, they were expected to be England’s main rivals in the group, but things haven’t gone according to plan for them. As well as losing to the Three Lions, they also suffered defeat to Montenegro to leave them on three points after three games.

They did upset World Cup winners Spain last summer, but not many will be expecting them to do the same against England.

An early goal for the home side and it will be game over for a vulnerable Switzerland side. A chance for England to improve their goal difference perhaps?