England's scoring boots primed for Azerbaijan

England - Unchanged England will seldom have a better chance to put a huge score on the board than when they meet revamped Azerbaijan in a World Cup qualifier here on Wednesday night.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's men go into this European zone Group 6 match at St James' Park on the back of a weekend 4-0 thrashing of Northern Ireland. Azerbaijan, in contrast, lost 8-0 to Poland.

England midfielders David Beckham and Steven Gerrard came through Monday training after knocks against the Irish meaning the same team is expected to start.

The England coach said after Saturday's game: "We have a small problem with Beckham's back, while Steven Gerrard got a knock on his ankle in the first half.

"But there shouldn't be any problems for Wednesday night and, if they are all fit, they deserve to start another game together."

Beckham had felt a back problem at the start of last week and underwent a scan, which gave him the all-clear.

The England captain missed the away tie in Azerbaijan, which England won 1-0 last October, as he was suspended after a controversial booking against Wales.

But despite an unconvincing display against Northern Ireland, he is again set to line up along with Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole in midfield.

Azerbaijan's Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto however is expected to change the majority of his starting line-up and blood a number of players from his under-21 squad following their poor showing against the Poland.

Alberto, the 60-year-old captain of Brazil's 1970 World Cup-winning team who has been in charge of Azerbaijan for 13 months, believes his team will have learnt something from the Polish game.

"Let's take this lesson and try to correct everything for the game with England," he told Sky Sports News.

"I'll give a chance to the young players. This is the best lesson, for them to play against England. We cannot be afraid to play football, even if we respect the English team today."

England striker Michael Owen tried to rein in expectations of a cricket score against the side from the former Soviet republic, who he feels will not make the same basic errors they did in their defeat in Warsaw.

"We were on our way back from the Northern Ireland game and there were a few people on the phone to friends, saying it was 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 and so on and we were all shaking our heads.

"There is going to be pressure on us but obviously 8-0 is a score you don't often see in international football. We will be happy to get the three points and if we can score a couple of goals that's a bonus.

"Comparisons are bound to be made with what Poland have done and I know the staff and coaches have seen the match. There were a lot of mistakes made in the Azerbaijan team and I don't think they will make as many mistakes again. Every shot Poland had seemed to go in."

Azerbaijan, a nation of nearly nine million people, have won only four of their last 27 matches since 2002, losing 15 and managing eight draws.

Their goal difference is minus 27 thanks to 45 goals conceded in that period and Azerbaijan are distinctly worse away, losing four on their own territory and 11 on their travels.

Unless Azerbaijan's form improves drastically against England, the match might be a prime example that there are indeed, contrary to the old maxim, easy games in international football.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin