So who does The Athletic reckon will make Lee Carsley’s starting line-up tonight? With jeopardy in the Nations League group, expect regular No 1 Jordan Pickford back between the sticks.
In defence, Tino Livramento will probably act as understudy at right-back to Kyle Walker, with Marc Guehi and Levi Colwill capable of forming a mobile central-defensive unit.
If Lewis Hall or Rico Lewis aren’t considered ready to start at left-back, Colwill could shift there, with Ezri Konsa – probably ahead of Jarrad Branthwaite in the pecking order – alongside Guehi. Taylor Harwood-Bellis is likely just to be gaining experience.
There is an interesting central midfield conundrum: deep-lying playmaker Angel Gomes will likely keep his place in the double pivot, but who next to him? Perhaps Conor Gallagher, or Jude Bellingham if Carsley decides to move him deeper.
Curtis Jones and Morgan Gibbs-White are more accustomed to playing in the No 10 attacking midfield role.
In attack, Harry Kane will play up top if fit, with Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, and Jarrod Bowen (probably in that order) battling for a place out wide. Morgan Rogers, Dominic Solanke and Ollie Watkins are expected to be impact substitutes.
Predicted England XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Guehi, Colwill, Lewis; Gomes, Gallagher; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
