England: Robinson, Neville, Ferdinand, Terry, A Cole, Beckham, Lampard, Hargreaves, Gerrard, J Cole, Rooney.

Portugal: Ricardo, Miguel, Carvalho, Meira, Valente, Petit, Maniche, Tiago, Figo, Ronaldo, Pauleta.

Referee: Horacio Elizondo (Argentina)

England – Not surprisingly Gary Neville returns and Owen Hargreaves moves back to a  holding role in midfield and Michael Carrick, unluckily, has to make way and is on the bench.

Neville should provide England with better options down the right side and the only issue is how sharp he will be after missing three games. Ashley Cole has played his way back to match fitness and look for him to link up with Joe Cole on the left. Is this the game where Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard both play well at the same time and will Lampard get a goal or even two.

For England it’s important that Rooney gets support and is not left isolated.

Portugal suspension and injury problems have been in midfield and the back four is not a surprise. Carvalho as played well and Meira has looked decent as well. Miguel has been outstanding at right back and the match-up against the Cole boys will be worth watching. It looks like big Phil is going to anchor the midfield with Petit and Tiago.

The interesting part of the selection is Maniche and where he will play. It seems that there are three options, (a) ask him to play in a midfield bank of three with Tiago and Petit with Figo and Ronaldo tucking in to support Pauleta, (b) Maniche taking over the Deco role with Figo and Ronaldo wide or (c) Figo in the Deco role with Maniche a bit wider on the right than normal and Ronaldo on the left. Option A is the most interesting as it would change the shape that Portugal has normally played under Scolari.

I guess we will find out in a few minutes.

As for a prediction – if Costinha and Deco were playing it would be extremely difficult to pick between the two teams. But there are not Playing so I am going for England 2-1.