England Predicted XI: We predict Gareth Southgate’s England starting XI as the Three Lions travel to Belgium in the UEFA Nations League

England travel to Belgium to face the number one side in the world this evening, in their fifth match of this UEFA Nations League.

The Three Lions should have been entering the match on a high, following their impressive win over Belgium in the third round of games.

However, a disappointing loss to Denmark and now a defensive injury crisis, has not given the Three Lions the greatest build up to this fixture.

Gareth Southgate’s side now sit third in Group A2, two points behind Belgium and level on points with the Danes.

If England are hoping to progress to the Semi Finals of this tournament, they will almost definitely need to claim all three points tonight, in what will be a difficult game.

But who will the Three Lions manager task with the challenge of defeating Belgium?

Here we predict Southgate’s starting XI…

Goalkeeper:

Jordan Pickford:
Despite Nick Pope’s solid performance and clean sheet against Republic of Ireland, Jordan Pickford is likely to reclaim the number one jersey against Belgium. It’s a clear fight between the two goalkeepers now with just seven months to go until the European Championships in June. The Everton man, knows he will have to be on top of his game this evening against a star-studded Belgium attack.

Defenders:

Kyle Walker, Eric Dier, Tyrone Mings, Kieran Trippier, Ben Chilwell:

It would be fair to say that Southgate is suffering from a defensive crisis ahead of the match against Belgium this evening. The manager cannot choose Harry Maguire, Joe Gomez or Conor Coady across his back five, leaving a real shortage of options. Adding to that, both Southgate’s first and second choice right backs are unavailable, meaning Kyle Walker will be shifted back out to that position from centre back. We expect Walker’s former team mate, Eric Dier to be deployed as one of the three centre backs, with Tyrone Mings and out of position Kieran Trippier. That leaves Ben Chilwell on the left, perhaps the only first choice player across the back five.

Midfielders:

Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount:
Despite calls for Jack Grealish to start after his impressive showing against Republic of Ireland, Southgate is expected to stick with two less creative midfielders in Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson, plus Mason Mount. Rice has been tidy in the past couple of matches while Henderson, won the penalty against Belgium in the previous fixture. Mount will be tasked with opening up the Belgium defence and will be hoping to repeat scoring the winning goal once again.

Forwards:

Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling:
After scoring a further England goal on Thursday, Dominic Calvert-Lewin would be unlucky to miss out against Denmark. However, with captain Harry Kane now ready to start, Southgate will be expected to turn to his main man. But with man-of-the-moment Marcus Rashford unavailable, Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling is likely to start the match.

Predicted XI: Pickford; Walker, Dier, Mings, Trippier, Chilwell; Henderson, Rice, Mount; Kane, Sterling.