Down to business for finalists

Dynamic duo
Sven-Göran Eriksson's English side will play 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosts Japan in Manchester as Dick Advocaat's Dutch team take on the Faroe Islands in Lausanne, Switzerland. The major issue regarding Eriksson's selection surrounds midfield players Nicky Butt and Frank Lampard, while Advocaat looks likely to give Patrick Kluivert and Ruud van Nistelrooij another chance to impress as a partnership.

Public praise
In England only the midfield is causing any real debate. There was no doubt Eriksson would definitely play captain David Beckham and Steven Gerrard and he has also publicly backed Paul Scholes, despite the latter claiming he would understand if he was dropped for England's opening game against France a week on Sunday. "I've never thought about leaving Paul Scholes out," Eriksson said. "I think he's a brilliant football player."

Butt favourite
Therefore, the only real question mark is whether the in-form Lampard loses out to Butt for the defensive role in England's diamond-shaped midfield. Despite a lack of club matches recently, Butt seems favourite with Eriksson. "I have to look at the games he's played for us in the past and he's been important," the coach said.

Another chance
If England have an embarrassment of riches in the middle of the park then the Dutch are spoilt for choice in attack. The latest partnership to be given a go will be Kluivert and Van Nistelrooij, despite not having played together since the 1-0 defeat by Scotland last November. The duo are considered to be the strongest attackers in the squad but have yet to show their full potential as a partnership. "I want to see them together again. They will play next to each other, and not behind each other," Advocaat said.

Van der Vaart back
Advocaat has previously experimented with Rafael van der Vaart in a forward position but the AFC Ajax starlet looks likely to play in an attacking midfield position tonight after recovering from a stomach muscle injury. Also back in action after sitting out Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Belgium are Michael Reiziger and Edgar Davids, with both expected to play from the start.

Good test
Of the Faroese challenge, Advocaat said: "They are a good opponent to work on our self-confidence. I want to see as many players in action as possible." The coach will head to Basel tomorrow to watch the Swiss play against Germany, who the Dutch face in their opening EURO 2004™ match on 15 June.