England will take on Turkey in the first warm-up game ahead of the Euro 2016 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Both sides recently announced provisional squads for the European Championship and will confirm their final squad after their respective friendly matches before the start of the tournament.
England football team manager Roy Hodgson will take a closer look at the players during the friendly matches against Turkey, Australia and Portugal.
The Three Lions have not won the Euro 2016 in the last 50 years, and will look to clinch the title this time in France.
Hodgson had omitted players like Theo Walcott and Jermain Defore and instead brought Manchester United youngster Marcus Rashford and Andros Townsend. The fitness of Jordan Henderson and Jack Wilshere will be a concern for the English manager.
Given the kind of stars England have in their squad, one would believe they do have a fair chance of winning Euro 2016. But host France and World Champions Germany remain firm favourites. England will begin their Euro 2016 campaign against Russia.
Also, this is the first time England have won all their matches in the qualifying campaign of Euro 2016.
England striker Harry Kane wants to emulate his form in the upcoming European Championship as well. He has said they have a plethora of talent in their squad who can win them the Euro Cup.
"Any player wants to win major tournaments. We have got to have that in our minds and that has to be our goal. We know we are a great side, we have great players, great ability and we have just got to go out there and express that," Kane was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
"We have just got to go out there and find that ability, try and find that form and get that consistency. To be part of it now is special. It is what I dreamed of, I worked very hard to do and now that I am here, I have got to work even harder to maintain it and that is what I am looking to do."
Meanwhile, Turkey have been in superb form. They have remained unbeaten in all competitions since November 2014. With 10 win from their alst 13 matches, Fatih Termi's side pose a serious threat to Roy Hogson's English team.
They will look to conitnue with their rampaging run of form and a surprise in France is quite possible. Turkey had finished third in Euro 2008 and that was their best ever performance in the European Championship. The Turkish outfit will want to go a step ahead and be in the final this time in France.
Turkey will play Slovenia and Montenegro in the remaining two friendlies ahead of Euro 2016. Terim's side is in a tough group where it will have to face the likes of Spain, Czech Republic and Croatia.
Playing XI's:
England: Hart; Walker, Stones, Cahill, Bertrand; Henderson, Dier, Townsend, Barkley, Sterling; Kane
Turkey: Babacan; Gonul, Topal, Balta Erkin; Tufan, Inan, Mor, Calhanoglu, Tosun; Ozyakup
Where to watch live:
The international friendly between England and Turkey is scheduled to start at 5:15 p.m. local time (9:45 p.m. IST and 12:15 EST). There will be no live coverage in India and in UK unfortunately.
Viewers in the US can switch to Fox Sports 2 and the live streaming option will be available on Fox Sports Go.
Middle Eastern countries and Australia viewers can tune in to beIn Sports for the live coverage of England vs Turkey. The live streaming option is available on beIn Sports Connect.
African nations can switch to Supersport to catch England vs Turkey live.
