After doubts over whether the friendly between Brazil and England would go ahead at the iconic Maracana Stadium were put to bed, it is now time for both sides to prove their credentials, one year ahead of the biggest sporting spectacle in the world - the 2014 World Cup.

England are coming off an underwhelming 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland, where their serious lack of imagination came to the fore.

Former England striker Gary Lineker said the 4-4-2 formation used by Roy Hodgson with Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturrridge up front was from the "dark ages", a criticism which the England manager felt was undeserved.

"Well, that's a pity," Hodgson said of the comments after the game on Wednesday. "I thought we played well (against Ireland). What is the dark ages?

"We were playing two front players and asking at least one of those front players, when we lose the ball, to make certain he drops down and helps out in midfield. Just as Borussia Dortmund did in the (Champions League) final. Just like we've done in the past."

England are a little light up front with Sturridge ruled out through injury and Danny Welbeck struggling with a knock. Theo Walcott is an option to play alongside Rooney, or Hodgson could go for a lone striker with three attacking players just behind.

"We've been a bit unlucky with front players, that's for sure," Hodgson said. "We were quite pleased with the way he (Sturridge) and Rooney were combining in that short spell and I thought it was going to be an interesting 90 minutes to see how this young man developed.

"Jermain (Defoe) is not firing on all cylinders. He came to us not having played the last few games for Tottenham and he is feeling his achilles. He did a good job for us but we did miss Sturridge just as we missed Welbeck.

"But we'll have to get on with it and make ourselves as competitive against Brazil as the Irish were against us.

"Every time you play a game with England, even if you are playing without any of your first-choice players, you're still expected to get a result, even if it will be hard to get. We know it will be tough. It was tough for the Irish but they worked hard and got it."

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Expected lineups: Brazil: Cesar; Alves, Thiago, Luiz, Marcelo; Fernando, Paulinho; Moura, Oscar, Neymar; Fred.

England: Hart; Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Cole; Carrick, Lampard; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Milner; Rooney.

Prediction: 2-1 to Brazil