England kick off their World Cup campaign as they take on Tunisia on Monday in their first Group G encounter in Volgograd. And almost everyone has been trying to predict the starting XI that Gareth Southgate will pick for the game.
While some of the players in the 23-man squad are guaranteed starters but there are still a couple of positions left which are being challenged by a number of players.
After infront of the media glare on Thursday, England manager Gareth Southgate had a behind-closed-doors meeting with his players and the Daily Mail(as reported by the Metro) are claiming that it is here that the coach finalized his first eleven for Monday’s clash.
The report suggests that England played an 11-a-side match in which all the players who are expected to start against Tunisia were handed bibs.
The Daily Mail believes that Jordan Pickford will be the one who will be handed out goalkeeping duties on Monday and he will be shielded by the central defensive trio of Harry Maguire, John Stones and Kyle Walker.
Manchester United’s Ashley Young may also find a spot in the first team as the left-wing back with Kieran Trippier being the other.
Gareth Southgate will hopefully play with a midfield trio consisting of Henderson, Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli – as per the report.
And up front, the attacking line will comprise of Raheem Sterling and England captain Harry Kane.
England take on Tunisia on Monday after which they move onto their next group stage match against Panama. But their real big test will come when they face Belgium as this game could very well decide which of these two teams top the group.
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