Evening all! Sports Mole's live 2018 World Cup qualification coverage continues from Group F as England host Slovenia. Victory for England tonight would see them book their spot at next summer's tournament in Russia, but a defeat might well leave Gareth Southgate's a touch vulnerable. Stay tuned!

Tonight will be the sixth time that these two teams have locked horns in international football. Slovenia have actually never beaten England, with the Three Lions winning four of their previous five meetings. That said, their last clash - the reverse match in Group F - ended in a goalless draw.

Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Wembley. Any shocks in the England XI? We already know that a certain Dele Alli is suspended for this one. What about Slovenia – any familiar faces? Let's run through the two teams for tonight's match...

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TEAMS!

ENG: Hart; Walker, Cahill, Stones, Bertrand; Dier, Henderson; Sterling, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rashford; Kane

SLOVENIA: Oblak; Struna, Mevlja, Cesar, Jokic; Bezjak, Krhin, Rotman, Verbic; Ilicic; Sporar

As mentioned, there is no Dele Alli for England tonight as the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder serves a one-game suspension for his middle-finger salute against Slovakia last time out. Alli's club teammate Harry Kane will skipper the Three Lions, while Phil Jones's absence means that there is a spot at centre-back for John Stones. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Raheem Sterling also start, as does Marcus Rashford, who has been in fine form for Manchester United in the early stages of the 2017-18 season.

As for Slovenia, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak will win his 17th cap between the sticks, while 35-year-old Chievo defender Bostjan Cesar is also selected. Rene Krhin, who plays his club football for Nantes, will start in what is a fairly inexperienced midfield for the visitors, while Josip Ilicic will support lone forward Andraz Sporar, who wins just his fourth cap tonight.

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Inside the #ThreeLions' den... 🦁 pic.twitter.com/amSMxL462R — England (@England) October 5, 2017

So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in London. I shall speak about Slovenia a little bit later, but let's start with England, who enter tonight's match knowing that a win would guarantee a spot at the 2018 World Cup.

Indeed, England are currently top of Group F on 20 points having won six and drawn two of their eight fixtures to date. An impressive qualification campaign thus far has seen Southgate's side score 16 times in their eight matches, and concede just three times. There have been few spectacular performances, but it has been a very solid qualification campaign once again.

England opened their Group F campaign with back-to-back wins over Slovakia and Malta, before the goalless draw with Slovenia. Then came back-to-back victories over Scotland and Lithuania, before dropping two more points away to Scotland in June. The Three Lions have won their last two in the group, however, beating Malta 4-0 away from home and Slovakia 2-1 at Wembley last month.

7 - Seven of @England's last nine goals have been either scored or assisted by Tottenham players. Spurred. pic.twitter.com/wC5pCjU1io — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 5, 2017

As mentioned, three points for England tonight would ensure that they qualify for 2018 World Cup ahead of their final Group F match against Lithuania on Sunday. However, Southgate's side can also lose and still qualify if second-placed Slovakia fail to beat Scotland tonight. In truth, it would take some turn of events for England not to qualify from this position. The Three Lions are pretty much there.

There will be pressure on Southgate to deliver a strong performance at next summer's World Cup, especially considering that England were eliminated in the group stage of the 2014 competition. They did reach the round of 16 in 2010, however, and made the quarter-finals in both the 2002 and 2006 World Cup. Would the quarter-finals be a realistic goal for next summer? It might well be.

Joe Hart will become the #ThreeLions' third-most-capped goalkeeper tonight 👏 pic.twitter.com/FDRLPuv6FM — England (@England) October 5, 2017

Slovenia, meanwhile, failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, and were eliminated in the group stage of the 2010 competition. They have actually only been in the finals of one major tournament since 2002, and unless there is a big turnaround in their next two matches, the European side will fail to make next summer's competition in Russia. Kickoff is fast approaching at Wembley!

Slovenia have won four, drawn two and lost two of their eight Group F matches, with a total of 14 points leaving them in third position. Victory tonight could move them above Slovakia into second, however, and that would make things very interesting ahead of their final group match at home to Scotland.

Srecko Katanec's team have also only conceded four times in their eight Group F matches, suggesting that tonight's game will not be a walk in the park for England. Slovenia will also enter this match off the back of a 4-0 win over Lithuania last month, although they have lost each of their last two away games in the section. A reminder of the Slovenia team for tonight's match...

#ANGSLO | 0:0 | ⏱ -55' Znana je postava Slovenije. #SrceBije #WCQ pic.twitter.com/JkG4I5JYBE

— #ANGSLO | #SrceBije (@nzs_si) October 5, 2017

Here we go then. Both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of this Group F fixture. Once the national anthems have taken place and the handshakes have been exchanged, we will be just about ready to get the action underway. Can England book their spot at the 2018 World Cup? Stay tuned!

KICKOFF! England kick things off on home soil...

... well, it would be fair to say that Wembley is not exactly full tonight. Many have decided to stay in the warm at home, and hopefully those not in front of the TV are following this blog. I hope so!

As expected, England have taken control of the possession in the early moments, with Henderson coming deep to collect the ball. Sterling has the chance to attack Struna after being found in a wide area, but Rotman is across to make the clearance. Rashford then wins a free kick from Struna.

Rashford delivers into the Slovenia box, but Jokic is on hand to clear his lines.

Rashford has Struna for pace in a wide area, and that could prove to be an area of real concern for Slovenia. Sterling has the chance to deliver low into the box after another smart run from Rashford, but Cesar is on hand to make the clearance. All England in the opening five minutes of this match.

It is Oxlade-Chamberlain's turn to drive past Jokic as the Liverpool midfielder races into the Slovenia box, but Cesar is on hand to make the clearance. Slovenia cannot get out at the moment.

Slovenia have the chance to break into the England box through Ilicic, and Hart has to come out to challenge the number seven, who went down. Better from the visitors as they start to enjoy some possession in England's half of the field. For the neutral, Slovenia scoring first would be good for the match.

Henderson is not overly pleased with Krhin after the number six catches the Liverpool midfielder with a late challenge. Slovenia continue to threaten, meanwhile, as they win another corner here.

So, 15 minutes on the clock, and we are still goalless. England have had most of the ball, but it has not been a great watch so far. When are the Three Lions going to put on a five-star performance? Southgate's side will more than likely win tonight, but a really strong performance seems doubtful.

Kane hits one from distance, but Oblak was always making the save.

SAVE! Hart keeps out a strike from Bezjak as Slovenia threaten once again.

Rashford delivers a dangerous cross into the Slovenia box, and it almost catches out Oblak, who drops down to make the save. Cahill was actually extremely close to making contact. Decent spell for England in the final third, but we are still waiting for the first serious chance of this match.

Another really good moment for Slovenia as Ilicic delivers a stunning cross into Bezjak, but the number 14 gets his effort horribly wrong. The visitors are causing some problems here.

Sterling fires harmlessly into the stands after finding space outside the Slovenia box.

Kane strikes a free kick from distance, but it smashes into the Slovenia wall.

Oxlade-Chamberlain runs Jokic down the right, but the Liverpool midfielder is squeezed out once again, which allows Slovenia to clear their lines. Not too much for the England supporters to get excited about at the moment as the score remains level. The quality has been quite poor to be honest.

SAVE! Super save from Oblak as the Atletico goalkeeper pushes a Henderson strike wide of the post. It is smart goalkeeping from the Slovenian, who pushed it behind for a corner.

Bezjak has been nice and bright for Slovenia in the final third, with the number 14 using his pace to break into dangerous positions. Still goalless with 28 minutes on the clock in the English capital.

The England supporters have not had too much to shout about tonight, but they are doing their best to raise the team. Slovenia, however, are enjoying a good spell in possession of the football.

Rashford drives into a central position after being shown inside, but the Manchester United attacker's effort is deflected high into the air, and Oblak can collect. Rashford has been the brightest player in an England shirt, but the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sterling have been poor.

Walker has a problem for England, and the right-back may well have to be replaced here.

Jokic actually stood on Walker's foot. It will be a painful one, but he should shake it off!

Sporar delivers a dangerous cross into the England box, but there are no takers, which allows the home side to break forward once again. The attack lacks pace and invention, however, and Slovenia have enough numbers back to deal with the pressure. Still goalless with 35 minutes on the clock.

Krhin fells Sterling, and England have a free kick in a very dangerous area...

... Walker takes the free kick, and finds the stands.

Sterling delivers straight into the arms of the Slovenia goalkeeper, and that just about sums up England's first half here. Henderson has come the closest for the home side, with the Liverpool captain bringing a decent save from Oblak. Apart from that, it has been very poor once again.

BOOKING! Krhin (Slovenia) is booked for a poor challenge on Henderson.

Slovenia have actually only conceded four times in this group, and they have been very well organised tonight. Kane moves wide in a bid to turn England's fortunes, but the striker's cross is blocked, and Cesar can clear towards Sporar. Little under five minutes of the first period to play here.

Slovenia can be very pleased with their work in the opening 43 minutes of this match. Indeed, with a little bit more care in the final third, the visitors might well have made the breakthrough. As for England, it has been more of the same. The Three Lions are desperately lacking in quality here.

BOOKING! Stones (England) is booked for a poor challenge on Mevlja.

BOOKING! Mevlja (Slovenia) is booked for a late tackle on Rashford.

SAVE! Oblak is across to keep out Rashford's near-post free kick.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Rashford has looked the most likely for England, but the home side have been short of ideas in the final third. Slovenia, meanwhile, have been solid at the back, in addition to carrying a decent threat down the other end. In truth, it is not a half of football that will be remembered too fondly!

STATS! England dominated the first-half possession with 72%, while they had eight attempts - three of which were on target. Slovenia, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their three attempts in the first 45 minutes. Three yellows to report - Krhin (38 min), Stones (45 min) and Mevlja (45 min).

BENCH WATCH! England boss Gareth Southgate is not short of attacking options tonight, with Defoe, Lingard and Sturridge among those capable of making an impact from the bench. Slovenia, meanwhile, have the likes of Birsa, Kurtic and Matavz as potential options in the second period.

RESTART! Slovenia resume the action here...

... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace here.

You do get the feeling that one goal might be enough for England to win this match. Just a reminder that as it stands, the Three Lions are qualifying for the World Cup with a draw as Slovakia are being held in Scotland. However, a draw against Slovenia is not going to get the pulses racing!

Half-chance for Jokic as the Slovenia left-back meets a deep cross, but his header is straight at Hart. England do not look too secure in a defensive area tonight it must be said.

Rashford again breaks into a dangerous position for England, but the Man United attacker cannot feed a cross into Kane, with Slovenia clearing their lines once again. Still goalless here.

BOOKING! Rotman (Slovenia) is booked for a late challenge on Sterling.

Quite a scrappy period of the match at the moment as Slovenia continue to give away little fouls. The visitors just need to be careful as both of their holding midfielders are now on yellow cards, in addition to one of their centre-backs. Stones is the only England player to have been carded tonight.

The atmosphere inside Wembley is absolutely dead. It is a shame, but that is the best way to describe it. There are so many empty seats around, and those inside the ground are underwhelmed.

SLOVENIA SUB! Sporar is replaced by Birsa, who wins his 88th cap.

No movement on the England bench, but I suspect that Southgate will be considering changes as we approach the final 30 minutes of football. At the moment, next to nothing is happening here.

Awful from Walker as the right-back loses possession in a dangerous area, but Slovenia cannot make the most of the opportunity as Cahill comes across to clear. Birsa then delivers a terrific cross into the England box, but there are no takers. Still goalless in the English capital here.

The ball bounces off Kane's knee and goes behind for a goal kick after Henderson had looked to pick out the in-form Tottenham forward. That just about sums up England's night thus far!

CHANCE! Rashford looks to chip Oblak from inside the Slovenia box, but Rotman is on the cover to make the clearance. Excellent work from the Slovenia midfielder there!

ENGLAND SUB! Oxlade-Chamberlain is replaced by Lingard.

CHANCE! The ball falls kindly for Sterling inside the Slovenia box, but the Manchester City attacker sees his low effort cleared by Cesar, who sticks his knee out to block!

Kane misses the crossbar with a wild effort as Slovenia survive another dangerous moment. Kane has not quite had hit shooting boots on tonight, but there is still time for the Tottenham forward.

WIDE! Just wide from Kane as the ball falls for the Tottenham forward in a dangerous area. Much better from England at the moment as they start to create opportunities.

SLOVENIA SUB! Bezjak is replaced by Repas in Slovenia's second change.

Mevlja has been very impressive for Slovenia tonight, and the centre-back continues to make a positive impression with a number of excellent clearances. Meanwhile, Cesar has gone down here following a coming together with Stones, who has already been booked...

... the referee does not take any action. Replays show that Stones pushed Cesar to the deck after a couple of Slovenia players had said something to the Manchester City centre-back!

Little under 15 minutes of football remaining, and we are still level at 0-0. As it stands, England are heading for the 2018 World Cup, but it would be a fairly underwhelming way to qualify, that is for sure.

No movement on the England bench at the moment, but Defoe is available. England are not exactly creating chance after chance, however, and this is not really a game for the Bournemouth forward.

SLOVENIA SUB! Slovenia's final change sees Rotman replaced by Matavz.

Ilicic continues to deliver excellent crosses from the left, but there are no takers! Slovenia have every chance of grabbing a late goal here as they continue to commit players in the final third.

Hart needs a moment to recover after a clash with Walker, who has had a wobbly game at the back. Still goalless with little over five minutes of football remaining at Wembley tonight.

CHANCE! Super chance for Slovenia to score as Matavz races into the England box, but Hart is out to confront the striker, and does enough to make the stop! Good goalkeeping!

ENGLAND SUB! Keane replaces Sterling for the home side.

BOOKING! Struna (Slovenia) is booked for a foul on Rashford.

We have the biggest cheer of the night as an intruder takes to the field.

We are back underway as the intruder is grabbed by the stewards. That is just about the most exciting thing that has happened all night. We are into the very final stages of this match.

Crikey. Six additional minutes to be played here. Where on earth did that come from?!

Oblak gathers a deflected strike from Kane as we enter the second minute of added time.

Wembley is absolutely silent as we head for the final stages of this match. It has been a really poor performance from England, who are qualifying for the World Cup, but in unspectacular circumstances. I should not think that the likes of Spain and Germany will be too worried.

Oblak keeps out a strike from Walker.

Finally England make the breakthrough as Kane finishes off a brilliant low cross from Walker!

BOOKING! Birsa (Slovenia) is booked for a poor challenge on Henderson.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with England booking their spot in the finals of the 2018 World Cup courtesy of a 1-0 win over Slovenia on home soil. It was not a classic, but England have got the job done once again. Roll on Russia! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!