Preview: England vs. Romania - prediction, team news, lineups

England will round off their preparations for this summer's European Championships with a clash against Romania at the Riverside Stadium on Sunday evening.

The Three Lions will enter the contest off the back of a 1-0 friendly win over Austria on Wednesday, while Romania suffered a 2-1 defeat to Georgia on the same night.

Match preview

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Wednesday's clash with Austria was far from a classic, but Bukayo Saka's second-half strike ensured that England would pick up another victory, making it five in a row in all competitions.

Gareth Southgate's preparations for Euro 2020 have been far from ideal, as a number of his players were involved in the Europa League and Champions League finals, while injuries in the camp mean that it is unclear what side will take to the field against Croatia on June 13.

Sunday's friendly with Romania will hand Southgate another chance to have a look at a number of players, and it is vital that the Three Lions make a strong start to their Euro 2020 campaign.

That said, it would, in theory, be better for England to finish second or third in Group D, as topping a section which also includes Scotland and Czech Republic would most likely see them face France, Portugal or Germany in the last-16 stage of the competition.

The Three Lions have been placed among the favourites for this summer's European Championships, but they have not progressed past the quarter-finals of the competition since 1996.

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Romania, though, will not be present at Euro 2020, having lost to Iceland in the playoffs, but they have previously made a positive impression in the European Championships.

Indeed, the Tricolours reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2000 and also competed in the finals of Euro 1996, Euro 2008 and Euro 2016, being eliminated in the group stages on all three occasions.

Romania have not made the best of starts to their qualification campaign for the 2022 World Cup, though, picking up just three points from three matches to occupy fourth spot in Group J.

Mirel Radoi's side will also enter this match off the back of three straight defeats, including a 2-1 loss to Georgia in a friendly on Wednesday evening.

Romania will be taking on England for the 12th time this weekend, and they are actually unbeaten in their last seven fixtures with the Three Lions, winning the last two at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

Team News

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Those involved in the Champions League and Europa League finals have now joined up with the squad, meaning that Southgate will have a much stronger selection to choose from on Sunday night.

It is difficult to know exactly what the head coach has in mind, whether he will look to name close to his strongest side or rest a number of important players ahead of the Croatia clash.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been forced to withdraw due to a thigh problem, while Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson are unlikely to be involved, with the duo recovering from injuries.

Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips are also slight doubts, meaning that Jude Bellingham could feature in midfield, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jadon Sancho and Raheem Sterling could be handed attacking roles, with Jack Grealish potentially protected with a start against Croatia in mind.

As for Romania, Florin Tanase will serve a suspension due to his red card against Georgia during the week, while Andrei Burca, Nicusor Bancu and Iulian Cristea will miss out through injury.

There should be another start in the middle of the back four for former Tottenham Hotspur defender Vlad Chiriches, while Florin Nita should again get the nod between the sticks.

Rangers attacker Ianis Hagi is also likely to be in the starting XI at the Riverside Stadium, while the top goalscorer in the squad Claudiu Keseru, who has 14 strikes at international level, should lead the attack.

England possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Trippier, Stones, Coady, Shaw; Bellingham, Rice; Sancho, Mount, Sterling; Calvert-Lewin

Romania possible starting lineup:
Nita; Sorescu, Chiriches, Nedelcearu, Camora; Stanciu, Marin; Hagi, Cicaldau, Maxim; Keseru

We say: England 2-0 Romania

There are a lot of unknowns surrounding Southgate's team selection for this match, but the Three Lions should have too much for Romania regardless of the XI that is sent onto the field in Middlesbrough.

Bellingham could be handed another chance to take his claim for a midfield spot, while there is seemingly a position up for grabs in the middle of the defence due to Maguire's ankle issue.