Know your enemy: Moldova
Are they any good?
Ranked 141st, Moldova have never qualified for a major tournament, and fared poorly in their two most recent qualification campaigns, finishing second bottom of their Euro 2012 group and last in their section for the 2010 World Cup. No current squad members have scored more than two international goals, although Moldova only played their first game in 1991.
Home sweet home
Moldova play at the 10,400-capacity Zimbru Stadium, home to First Division side Zimbru Chisinau, which was built in 2006.
Their competitive record at home in the last four years reads P10 W2 D2 L6.
Who’s the boss?
Ion Caras returned for his third spell in charge of the national team earlier this year. The 61-year-old was previously a defender with Zimbru Chisinau.
Danger men
Veteran Stanislav Ivanov, who has 40 caps, will provide a threat with his dangerous passing, whether operating in midfield or as a deep-lying striker. Rugged centre-back Simeon Bulgaru can prove a difficult obstacle to negotiate.
How will they line up?
Moldova tend to deploy a 4-4-2 formation, relying heavily on the service of widemen Eugeniu Cebotaru and Gheorghe Ovseannicov. Ivanov is likely to operate behind main striker Igor Picusceac.
Head-to-head
England have only faced Moldova twice, comfortably despatching them home and away during qualification for World Cup ‘98. Nick Barmby, Paul Gascoigne and Alan Shearer were on the scoresheet in a 3-0 away win, before another Gascoigne strike, in addition to a brace from Ian Wright and a goal from Paul Scholes, helped secure a 4-0 win in the return fixture a year later.