Local fans and pundits, almost in awe of their visitors, suggest that the hosts have no chance of winning, but it has not made any difference and the much-awaited fixture has been sold out for weeks.

Israel coach Dror Kashtan has said his players would have to be at their best to get a result which would keep them in the chase for a qualification spot.

"England are England, they are perhaps the most physical team in world soccer ... Every player will have to give at least 150 percent, or perhaps even more if we are to put up a fight," Kashtan said.

Nevertheless, in two previous friendly meetings between the sides in the 1980s, both played at the same stadium, Israel gave little away, narrowly losing 2-1 in 1986 and drawing 0-0 in 1988.

Kashtan will field a lineup with a mix of experience and youth. Israel's key player is West Ham United midfielder Yossi Benayoun who is certain to play after being passed fully fit on Wednesday but Kashtan is still considering his options up front.

Nigerian-born Toto Tamuz, Israel's young hope for the future will probably start on the bench, while the other candidates up front will come from among Elyaniv Barda, Salim Toema, Pini Balili or Chelsea's Ben Sahar.

Dudu Aouate is certain to start in goal while the back line will include experienced central defenders Tal Ben Haim and Shimon Gershon and young defenders Yuval Shpungin and Yoav Ziv.

Arik Benado, a central defender will probably play out of position as a defensive midfielder and will earn his 91st cap, an Israeli record.

A huge media circus has arrived for probably the most highly anticipated match in the country for over half a century. Police are on extra high alert for the match which will see a capacity crowd of 44,000 fill the National Stadium.

Up to 5,000 travelling England fans will also arrive in time after a general strike which closed the country's main international airport was called off on Wednesday.

Croatia lead the group with 10 points with Russia in second, while England and Israel are third and fourth respectively with seven points.

All four teams have played four matches. The three other teams in the group are Macedonia, Estonia and Andorra.

MISERABLE RUN

England go into the game after a fairly miserable run of form, which coincided with the loss of their impressive holding midfielder Owen Hargreaves to a broken leg.

Now fit, Hargreaves returns on Saturday and England players have been busy talking up their chances of ending a four-match winless run in which they have lost two and drawn two.

Embattled coach Steve McClaren has demanded fighting performances from what he calls his big players -- midfielders Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard and striker Wayne Rooney.

There is also real promise in 19-year-old winger Aaron Lennon, who will be making his first England start.

Though Rooney's partner up front, Andy Johnson, is not a proven international striker, England's real problem area is at the back, and specifically on the flanks.

Three of England's first-choice full backs are out and the fourth, Micah Richards, is doubtful after injury. McClaren will probably also deploy his utility defenders, Jamie Carragher on the left and Phil Neville on the right.

If he plays, Neville will take the joint total number of caps he shares with his brother Gary to 141 -- equalling the record of number of caps won by a pair of brothers set by Bobby and Jack Charlton in 1970.

Probable teams:

Israel: Dudu Aouate; Yoav Ziv, Tal Ben Haim, Shimon Gershon, Yuval Shpungin; Arik Benado, Gal Alberman, Walid Badir, Yossi Benayoun; Salim Toema, Elyaniv Barda or Ben Sahar.

England: Paul Robinson; Phil Neville or Micah Richards, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher; Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon; Andy Johnson, Wayne Rooney.

Referee: Tom Ovrebo (Norway)

(Additional reporting by Trevor Huggins)