If recent history is to go by, England have been the big team that up and coming teams or as some like to say ‘minnows’ have had success against in World Cups.

Bangladesh have beaten them on 2011 and in 2015 and Ireland have won against the creators of cricket in 2011, chasing a record target.

This time though, the hosts seem to be in a different mood, not willing to give an inch to their opposition.

That will certainly be put to the test when they face Afghanistan, who are at the bottom of the points table and are the only side to not win a single game this tournament.

The two teams will do battle at Manchester, Tuesday, on what seems to be an uneven contest on paper. 

England are the only team that have scored at more than six runs per over each time they have batted since the 2015 World Cup. 

And their bowling, with the X-factor and raw pace of Jofra Archer has been able to defend the runs.

One can argue that the English team have already had their World Cup blip in the game where they lost against Pakistan - a team who was coming on the bounce of losing eleven straight ODI’s.

On the other hand, the Afghans have not shown the free-spirited style of cricket that many neutrals have fallen in love with.

From the sacking of their former captain Asghar Afghan just before the tournament to sending opener Mohammad Shahzad back home for an injury he claims doesn’t exist to recently dropping Najibullah Zadran - one of their in-form batsmen.

It’s difficult to see how Afghanistan can win or even compete against an English team brimming with talent and depth in all three departments, especially on home soil.

England will look to get two more points to their tally and further strengthen their grip on the top four stance but if the Afghans can find their mojo, and if rain curtails the game, we could be in for the tournament’s biggest upset.

Teams

After his unexpected absence against South Africa, Najibullah seems sure to slot back into Afghanistan's middle order though who knows what the management is thinking at present.

Asghar Afghan didn't exactly justify his recall with a five-ball duck against South Africa, and may be the man to make way once again.

The prospect of spin may bring Mujeeb Ur Rahman back into the reckoning.

Afghanistan’s probable lineup: 1 Hazratullah Zazai, 2 Noor Ali Zadran, 3 Rahmat Shah, 4 Hashmatullah Shahidi, 5 Gulbadin Naib (capt), 6 Najibullah Zadran, 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Ikram Alikhil (wk), 9 Rashid Khan, 10 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 11 Hamid Hassan

Jason Roy's absence has been confirmed after his hamstring tear against West Indies - he will miss the Sri Lanka match as well, with James Vince set to slot straight in at the top of the order. Morgan's fitness was also under a cloud after he suffered a back spasm, but he was moving freely in the nets on the eve of the game and may yet feature.

Liam Plunkett missed training with a stomach complaint but is not thought to be a serious concern.

England’s probable lineup: 1 Jonny Bairstow, 2 James Vince, 3 Joe Root, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Chris Woakes, 8 Adil Rashid, 9 Liam Plunkett, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Mark Wood.

Pitch and weather

The weather promises an overcast start and the potential for showers in the afternoon, and the eve of the game featured steady rain as well.

Captains winning the toss would be inclined to bowl first.

The pitch is expected to be very good for batting but it should offer spin and good carry for the pacers, as was the case in the last game here between India and Pakistan.