England v Croatia: Predicted line-up for Three Lions’ World Cup opener

England get their World Cup campaign under way when they face Croatia in Dallas on Tuesday evening. 

The Three Lions were knocked out by eventual runners-up France at the quarter-final stage of the last World Cup four years ago, and suffered defeat against Croatia in the semis back in 2018.

Thomas Tuchel has since replaced Gareth Southgate as manager, though, and there is a quiet expectation that his side could go far in North America this summer.

Here, we predict the England XI for their match against Croatia.

Goalkeeper

Jordan Pickford has been England’s established first-choice ‘keeper for the past four tournaments and has rarely put a foot wrong on the international stage. The Everton man’s heroics helped the Three Lions win their first ever World Cup penalty shootout against Colombia in 2018, and he is set for another big tournament.

Defenders

At the back, Tuchel has opted to leave a number of experienced players – including Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw – out of his squad. Chelsea’s Reece James is on course to start at right-back, with Tino Livramento having pulled out of the squad due to injury. In the middle of the backline, Ezri Konsa looks set to partner John Stones. Marc Guehi was a regular starter under Southgate at the European Championships two years ago and had looked set to continue into this tournament, but it now looks like Stones and Konsa will start against the Croatians. On the left, Manchester City youngster Nico O’Reilly is set to be given the nod.

Midfielders

Midfield is arguably where Tuchel’s squad is strongest, with Premier League winner Declan Rice set to be partnered by Nottingham Forest’s Alliot Anderson. The duo both started against Costa Rica in England’s final pre-tournament friendly.

Ahead of them, Jude Bellingham looks set to start ahead of Morgan Rogers. The duo have both been preferred to the likes of Cole Palmer and Morgan Gibbs-White, and it appears that Bellingham has now edged Rogers in the race to land the coveted ’10’ role for the opener.

Kane scored 61 goals for Bayern Munich last season (Photo: Diebilderwelt/Alamy)

Forwards

In attack, Anthony Gordon could start on the left. The ex-Everton man recently left Newcastle United to join Barcelona, and scored in a 3-0 win over Costa Rica last week.

Through the middle, captain Harry Kane will start and hope to add to his tally of 79 goals in 114 games for the Three Lions. The striker scored a remarkable 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich this season, and is one of the favourites to win the Golden Boot.

On the right, Noni Madueke could be preferred to England teammate Bukayo Saka, who is not at full fitness. Former Chelsea man Madueke started against Costa Rica and, while he isn’t Tuchel’s first choice, he may be given another start in order to avoid risking Saka’s fitness.

Predicted line-up: Pickford; James, Konsa, Stones, O’Reilly; Anderson, Bellingham, Rice; Madueke, Kane, Gordon.