When in doubt, blame the pitch.

The surface at the Arena Amazonia in Manaus has come under fire in the last week, with the scorched and brown areas eventually being painted green by a keen groundsman.

There's been criticism ahoy but maybe a bobbly pitch would help England...

England's opener in Germany in 2006 was a very forgettable affair, an own goal sealing a narrow win for Sven's men.

It was penalties again that ended England's hopes, with Portugal sealing the win in the last eight.

England v Paraguay 2006 line-up:

Robinson; Neville, Ferdinand, Terry, A. Cole; Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, J. Cole; Owen, Crouch

It's been a funny old week for Clarence Seedorf.

Scored a hat-trick at Old Trafford past Jamie Theakston, sacked as AC Milan coach and then saw the Netherlands trounce Spain 5-1.

Former Netherlands midfielder Clarence Seedorf

"Mario Balotelli has everything - speed, strength, he can shoot from all positions. He also likes to play across the front line, he has it all. People talk about his discipline but in the time I worked with him at AC Milan he only picked up two yellow cards."

Image source, @mbsbafc

Matthew Brown:, external Got a German friend in an England shirt for the game!

Less than two hours to kick-off. Time to crank up the intensity.

Get World in Motion on, imagine Raheem Sterling running at Giorgio Chiellini...

Image source, @monkey1960s

Mark:, external This is my view at our garden bar!

Image source, @stevo_roper

Ever since the World Cup draw last December England fans have been plotting their plans for this evening.

With a 23:00 BST kick-off time causing several logistical issues, we want to know where you are watching Roy Hodgson's boys.

Have you gone down the pub? If so, what time did you head out? How are you feeling currently? Don't peak too soon...

Or is it a house party job? If it's good enough for Noel, it's good enough for me. Get everyone round, load up on supplies and don't fall asleep.

Maybe like Steve Roper here [pictured] you've had a bad time of it lately. But as long as you've got access to a screen you won't miss a kick with us.

Send us your pictures of where you are watching the game from. The more unusual the better.

File them on twitter to #myworldcupseat., external

Image source, Getty Images

Sven-Goran Eriksson's much-fancied England side laboured to a 1-1 draw with Sweden in their opener in 2002, Sol Campbell opening the scoring with a bullet header before those pesky Brazilians knocked them out in the last eight.

England v Sweden 2002 line-up:

Seaman; Mills, Ferdinand, Campbell, Cole; Beckham, Hargreaves, Scholes, Heskey; Vassell, Owen

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson says his 2006 squad had a better chance of winning the World Cup than Roy Hodgson's 2014 team.

Eriksson took England to the quarter-finals in Germany and says the current crop will do well to match that.

The 66-year-old Swede said: "I don't think any team were better than England at the World Cup in Germany.

"I don't believe England have the chance to win this time. The quarter-finals would be a good achievement."

The results of the vote on who you would prefer to have in the England side are in.

It's a close one but 51% of voters went for Steven Gerrard and 49% picked Italy's Andrea Pirlo.

In our next vote we're asking will England win, lose or draw against Italy?

Vote online at the top of this page or tweet @BBCSport, external or @BBCMOTD, external with the hashtag #win, #lose or #draw.

The vote closes at 22:00 BST, full terms and conditions can be found here and we will announce the results at 22:05 BST.

I remember persuading our science teacher let us watch that Tunisia game, a lunchtime kick-off. Good luck winning a tackle in that midfield!

After failing to qualify for the 1994 finals, England opened their 1998 campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win against Tunisia. Alan Shearer's header and a late Paul Scholes curler gave Glenn Hoddle's men the win.

England v Tunisia 1998 line-up:

Seaman; Campbell, Southgate, Adams; Anderton, Ince, Batty, Scholes, Le Saux; Sheringham, Shearer

Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon

"With Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley, England have players they have not had in a while. I worry a bit about England defensively though.

"I am pleased to see Roy Hodgson go for it and play Sterling. As the game goes on he is the type of player, along with Barkley, that can open up the opposition."

On Gigi Buffon's absence:

"You need goalkeepers to make important saves at important times and he is one of the best. It is an important psychologically for England. If you were playing and he was not playing, as Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney, you would be rubbing your hands."

Image source, Epa

Scott, Kettering: The inclusion of Sterling is exactly what the public wanted. Roy seems to have played things just right and his team selection will have the country right behind him. Come on England!

Daniel, London: How does Welbeck start over Lallana? We have a greater chance of unlocking the Italian defence with Lallana than Welbeck. Good to see Sterling starting, and lets see how Rooney plays before thinking of Barkley.

James, Yorkshire: Only one player in the England team not playing for a Manchester or Liverpool club! Where would we be without the north west!

Alex:, external Like the pacey, attacking England line-up. Would have held Sterling back for the last 30 minutes as impact, but we still have Barkley.

Jonathan:, external Lallana extremely unlucky not to get nod, been outstanding for Saints. Pace of Sterling, Sturridge and Welbeck will cause problems.

George:, external Pleased to see Sterling start. Welbeck will at least offer Baines protection and offer more pace on the counter than Lallana.

Image source, Getty Images

It was the Republic of Ireland first up for England in 1990, and that man Gary Lineker - whatever happened to him? - popped up with an early goal.

But Steve McMahon's error let in Kevin Sheedy to bury a low drive and seal a 1-1 draw. England would make it all the way to the last four before penalty shootout woe against West Germany...

England v Republic of Ireland 1990 line-up:

Shilton; Stevens, Butcher, Walker, Pearce; Waddle, Gascoigne, Robson, Barnes; Lineker, Beardsley

In tonight's other game in Group D, Uruguay lead Costa Rica 1-0 at the break.

Follow that match here.

Former England midfielder Danny Murphy

"First and foremost I am excited, I am like a kid at Christmas. I am positive about England's chances. One bit of caution I would have is that Italy have some very experienced players.

"I still think the water breaks could be a really good idea as we want to see quality football. It is the humidity that is the problem because it is really hard to get the air into your lungs.

"As the game goes on there are going to be choices to make and Roy Hodgson is as good as anyone at making those decisions."

BBC Sport Chief Football Writer Phil McNulty in Manaus

"One of the big questions in the build-up to England's opening World Cup game against Italy was whether manager Roy Hodgson would be bold or cautious. The selection of Liverpool's Raheem Sterling answers the question.

"Hodgson, not known for effusive praise of younger players, has barely been able to contain his enthusiasm for Sterling's performances in training and it was a disappointment he was unable to face Honduras after being sent off against Ecuador.

"Ironically, that red card may now benefit him by keeping him under wraps and out of Italy's sight."