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Live Reporting

Phil Dawkes

All times stated are UK

  1. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    Jack Tanner: the Norman Wisdom derby

    Yes, Comedy actor Sir Norman Wisdom was a cult hero in Albania.

  2. Zlatan set for Kosovo

    Kosovo v Sweden (19:45 BST)

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be looking to build on his impressive comeback in midweek, when he helped Sweden to a 1-0 win over Georgia.

    The veteran AC Milan striker set up Viktor Claesson to score the only goal of the game.

    "It felt good," he said afterwards. "It felt like it was my first international match. It was a lot of adrenaline."

    Victory put the Swedes on top of a tough Group B that also contains Greece and Spain.

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  3. Spain in action in Georgia

    There are two other matches of note kicking off at 17:00 BST.

    Spain are in Georgia - the 2010 champs drew their opening Group B match against Greece.

    Denmark - in Scotland's group - beat Israel 2-0 the other day and face Moldova at home in Group F.

    Italy and Germany are in action later (19:45 BST) - we will bring you live text coverage of those games.

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  4. Martial injured in France win

    Kazakhstan 0-2 France

    France moved to the top of Group D with a 2-0 win over Kazakhstan, although Manchester United fans might be concerned that forward Anthony Martial came off injured.

    The Frenchman was replaced in the second half after receiving treatment.

    Ousmane Dembele and an own goal from Sergiy Maliy gave Didier Deschamps' side their first win of the qualifiers following last week's draw against Ukraine.

    Full report.

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  5. Post update

    It is not just England in action today, of course. There are qualifiers taking place across Europe...

  6. Post update

    Albania v England (17:00 GMT)

    Surely people can't be hugely surprised by the selection of Rice and Phillips in the middle? Southgate has rarely gone for an outright attacking side, regardless of the opponent. Plus, those two central midfielders are both having fine seasons.

  7. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    Chris Scurr: Phil Foden is the most exciting footballer in an England Shirt right now! Buzzing he is starting.

    Sho: Again, why do you need to start both Rice and Phillips against Albania? So negative.

  8. Your England team

    Albania v England (17:00 BST)

    So, how does the England side Southgate has picked compare to the one we asked you to select over the last few days?

    Here is your side...

    Your England side
  9. The new number one

    Albania v England (17:00 BST)

    So, it would appear that Burnley's Pope is now first-choice between the sticks, overtaking Everton's Jordan Pickford in the pecking order.

    "He has consistently played at a high level for his club," said Southgate.

    "He is a very calm character and I really like his personality.

    "We obviously knew he was not going to be overworked [against San Marino], but I am sure that will be different in the next games."

    Pope, 28, a member of the 2018 World Cup squad, has made only five appearances for his country. He could become the first England keeper to concede no goals in his first six appearances when he faces Albania today.

  10. Post update

    Albania v England (17:00 GMT)

    What do you make of that then?

    You can contact us on Twitter using the hashtag #bbcfootball or on text, using 81111 (UK only).

  11. Kane returns; Southgate makes six changes

    Albania v England (17:00 BST)

    England captain Harry Kane returns to the starting XI as Gareth Southgate makes six changes to to XI that started in the 5-0 win over San Marino.

    Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw makes first international appearance since September 2018. Club-mate Harry Maguire partners John Stones in central defence while Manchester City's Kyle Walker starts in the other full-back position.

    Leeds' Kalvin Phillips retains his place in midfield, while Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling also remain in the line-up. Manchester City's Phil Foden and West Ham's Declan Rice come into the XI.

    England XI: Pope; Walker, Maguire, Stones, Shaw; Foden, Rice, Phillips; Sterling, Kane, Mount.

    View more on twitter
  12. Pope in, who else?

    Albania v England (17:00 BST)

    Nick Pope

    We already know that Southgate will be selecting Nick Pope as his starting goalkeeper for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and also Poland. He told us that much.

    But what about the rest of the XI he's picked for today's match? Here is the team news...

  13. Don't embarrass yourselves

    Albania v England (17:00 BST)

    The Republic of Ireland's defeat to Luxembourg yesterday is a sharpener to many a side, reminding them that these supposed lesser sides do have the capacity to embarrass you if you're not 100% on it.

    Having brushed aside San Marino on Thursday, Southgate and his side will not want to take the mother of all backwards steps by failing to make it two World Cup qualifying wins out of two against a side ranked 62 places below them in the Fifa rankings.

  14. Easy win?

    Albania v England (17:00 BST)

    Gareth Southgate

    It would take a brave man to bet against England winning in Albania today.

    However, if Gareth Southgate's lads need a little reminder that a lot of international football is not always the walk in the park some would have you believe, they need only look at some of this break's results.

    Or they could just give Stephen Kenny a call to gauge his thoughts.