England face France in the sweltering heat of Donetsk on Monday evening with expectations at their lowest.

Despite the match having a 7pm kick-off time in the Ukraine, the temperature is still expected to be around 31 degrees Celsius and will test the players' fitness and conditioning.

England supporters are often considered to have unrealistic expectations of a team which has long failed to live up to pre-tournament billing, but there is no such brash over-confidence this time with injuries and the suspension of Wayne Rooney.

New coach Roy Hodgson in many ways cannot lose, as after his late appointment following the departure of Fabio Capello a place in the quarter-finals alone could be viewed as an achievement.

The defence would seem to pick itself with Ashley Cole, Joleon Lescott, John Terry and Glen Johnson in front of Joe Hart - a back line which played 50 minutes as a unit against Belgium in England's final warm-up. Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker will patrol the middle of the park with James Milner and Theo Walcot out wide.

There is the chance that Hodgson could yet hand a starting place to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but his uncertain performance against the Belgians suggests he will be better as an impact substitute. Danny Welbeck has pushed himself in front of Andy Carroll for the role in front of Ashley Young.

Whereas Hodgson is likely to play a defensive style and look to counter on the break, France have the flair to cause plenty of problems. How England deal with their fluid play, keeping shape and not allowing Les Bleus' attack to exploit space, could decide the game.

France, unbeaten in 21 matches, had a mixed warm-up schedule, trailing 2-0 at home to Israel before late goals earned a 3-2 win. But they improved in beating Serbia and were far more impressive in thrashing Estona 4-0 in Le Mans on Tuesday; the latter performance either acts as a pointer to their actual ability or could simply have masked the deficiencies.

Patrice Evra was particularly suspect against Israel and although he was replaced by Gael Clichy for the Serbia game he will keep his place with Philippe Mexes and Adil Rami in the centre. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris captains the side while Premier League target Mathieu Debuch slots in at right-back.

With Yann M'Vila out, Alou Diarra will play a holding role while Yohan Cabaye acts in a support role. Florent Malouda, Franck Ribery and Samir Nasri are a dangerous attacking triumvirate with Karim Benzema, who scored twice against Estonia, as the lone striker.

The last time the two countries met was at Wembley in November 2010, when a youthful France side outclassed England 2-1. Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena put France in command before Peter Crouch scored a late consolation. Only 16 of the 34 players who featured in that game are at Euro 2012.

France player to watch: Franck Ribery. The Bayern Munich midfielder-cum-forward has struggled to find top gear in international football, and much may rest on his shoulders. His forward drives will be a feature of their approach and if he flatters to deceive then France may do so too.

England player to watch: Ashley Young. Just over a year ago Ashley Young had started only two matches for England but now he is one of the first names on the team-sheet. Acting as the conduit between midfield and the striker, Young has scored five goals in seven international appearances over the past 12 months, and created Welbeck's winner against Belgium. He will look to unlock the unconvincing centre-back pairing of Mexes and Rami.

Key Battle: Patrice Evra v Theo Walcott
Evra had a horrendous season at club level, as most Manchester United fans will readily testify, and he should be stretched by the Arsenal winger when England get forward. With eight Premier League goals and assists Walcott has had a productive season, but inconsistency is often his undoing.

Trivia: Geoff Hurst is the only England player to score a hat-trick against France in a full international, in a 5-0 victory at Wembley in 1969. Zinedine Zidane was sick on the pitch before taking the injury-time penalty which defeated England in 2004.

Stats: England are without a win in five against France in all competitions, losing their last three. England have met France twice before at the European Championship, drawing 0-0 in 1992 and losing 2-1 at Euro 2004.


Match

It is going to be a tough match for sure. IF lescott can keep benzema outside the 18 yard box, then they have a chance. Parker is a hard worker and that could encourage Gerard to move further up to support Young. I would chose Welbeck ahead of Carrol in a game like this one.

erhmmm i nor see manchestere hia oh


Patrice Evra ? yeshhhhhh! the majestic goal in the 3rd quater was a shocker did you not see the eputer by france, up frosbwilly makavelic bouncer


France, unbeaten in 21 matches, ? na lie jor, remove the chewing gum in you eye , frabegas scores 20 to 12,abiola babes finished the rest
any way am waiting for them at inwayanwu national or Theo Walcott can always kick the bucket

ikamefa: erhmmm i nor see manchestere hia oh


Patrice Evra ? yeshhhhhh! the majestic goal in the 3rd quater was a shocker did you not see the eputer by france, up frosbwilly makavelic bouncer


France, unbeaten in 21 matches, ? na lie jor, remove the chewing gum in you eye , frabegas scores 20 to 12,abiola babes finished the rest
any way am waiting for them at inwayanwu national or Theo Walcott can always kick the bucket

ika broomstick me on the other side

I predict 2-1 in favor of France.

guys any link?

Ox-Chambo and Theo will take turns @ terrorizing Evra.

will be interesting to watch.

-------Lloris------
Debuchy-Rami-Mexes-Evra
---Diarra---Cabaye----
Malouda--Nasri--Ribery
-------Benzema-------


------Welbeck-------
Milner-Young-Chamberlain
----Gerrard----Parker-----
Evra-Lescott-Terry-Johnson
---------Hart---------

Who hired Jamie carragher as a pundit?

Does he know anything other than Stevie G is the best thing since sliced bread

game on!!

I pity England

frankkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk ribrey yyyyyyy?

nearly nasri

Ribery too selfish

Where can I watch the game online? I need links, guys . Thanks.

France 4 England 2

Milner ooooooooooo

les blues les tear dem... benzima you for shoot from there na.
MilNER JUST YAKUBUD the chance

hart almost fumble

nice shot...keep the pressure

Milner sef. Haba!

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Ox Chambo

nice one but offside

A.young offside

hart no dull ur self o!

wetin dey happen , boring game i guess ?

already 20 mins?

wasted effort...england doesn't as a team.
foul by diarra.
welbeck come on get up there

See that fine chick

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welbeck injured. I hope its not serious

I neva see wetin France dey play o