England v Serbia: Predicted Three Lions line-up for Euro 2024 opener

England begin their European Championship campaign against Serbia on Sunday evening. 

The Three Lions go into the tournament in Germany as one of the favourites, but they were beaten 1-0 by Iceland in their final warm-up match at Wembley on Friday.

Manager Gareth Southgate will be desperate to see his side improve in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, but he will have several big decisions to make when selecting his team for the match.

Here, we predict the XI that Southgate could select for the game.

Goalkeeper

Jordan Pickford has been England’s number one for the past three major tournaments, and has scarcely put a foot wrong for his country. The Everton ‘keeper will once again be between the sticks in Germany, ahead of both Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson.

Defenders

Kyle Walker is one of England’s most important players and will start at right-back against Serbia.

Defence has been arguably Southgate’s biggest problem in the build up to the tournament, and he was handed a further blow last week when forced to omit Harry Maguire from the final 26-man squad due to injury. The Manchester United man had been a regular for the Three Lions at tournaments since 2018, but wouldn’t have been available until the knockout stages.

Maguire will miss the tournament due to injury

In his absence, Marc Guehi could be the one to partner John Stones in the heart of defence. The Crystal Palace man has himself missed much of the season with injury, but he appears to be ahead of the likes of Lewis Dunk and Ezri Konsa in the pecking order and is therefore likely to start on Sunday.

Left-back has been a particular problem area for Southgate in recent weeks, with first choice Luke Shaw unavailable due to injury. In his absence, Kieran Trippier is likely to be deployed as a makeshift left-back.

Midfielders

Declan Rice has established himself as an integral part of the England side over the past few years, and the Arsenal man will start at the base of midfield against Serbia.

Rice will play a key role for England at the Euros this summer

The former West Ham United man could be partnered by Kobbie Mainoo, who started the defeat against Iceland and failed to impress. The likes of Conor Gallagher and Adam Wharton will be vying for a place in midfield, but Mainoo is likely to get the nod.

Jude Bellingham is likely to start in the advanced midfield role, having enjoyed an outstanding debut season at Real Madrid. The former Birmingham City man lifted the Champions League earlier this month, and will be hoping to add an international trophy to his growing personal collection.

Forwards

On the left, Phil Foden could start despite calls for him to play in a central role. The Manchester City man will likely play on the left flank to allow his teammate Bellingham to fulfil the central position.

Foden is set to start against Serbia on Sunday

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is set to start on the right of England’s attack, despite a relatively quiet end to the Premier League season for the winger. The Gunners star is set to be given the nod ahead of Chelsea star Cole Palmer, who could be of use from the bench for Southgate.

Through the middle, captain Harry Kane will spearhead the Three Lions’ attack and will be hoping to secure the competition’s Golden Boot, as well as captaining his side to a first ever European Championships.

Predicted XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Mainoo, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Foden