England v Switzerland: Predicted Three Lions XI for quarter-final tie

England face Switzerland in the quarter-finals of the European Championships on Saturday afternoon. 

Gareth Southgate’s have been heavily criticised for their performances in Germany so far, and were on the verge of being knocked out in the last 16 by Slovakia before Jude Bellingham’s stunning late overhead kick levelled the match at 1-1, sending the tie to extra-time.

Captain Harry Kane’s header then put the Three Lions ahead, and Southgate’s side held on to set up a last eight clash with the Swiss.

There have been several calls for Southgate to change his formation and tactics for the next match, though.

Here, we predict the XI that the England boss could select for Saturday’s match.

Goalkeeper

Everton’s Jordan Pickford has played every major tournament match for England since the start of the 2018 World Cup, and he is set to continue for this one. The 30-year-old has rarely failed to impress for his country, and he could play a crucial role on Saturday.

Defenders

Southgate has opted for a back-four at every game of Euro 2024 so far, but he could revert to the back-three system that he has often used at previous tournaments. With Marc Guehi suspended after picking up two yellow cards, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa is set to start.

Konsa could replace the suspended Marc Guehi for the clash against Switzerland

Alongside him, John Stones could start at the centre of the back three, with Manchester City teammate Kyle Walker switching to centre-back, as opposed to his more natural right-back.

Lewis Dunk and Joe Gomez are other options for Southgate to replace Guehi, but it appear likely that Konsa will get the nod.

Midfielders

If he does revert to a back three, Southgate will likely deploy wing-backs and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold could therefore start on the right.

Alexander-Arnold could return to the England starting line-up against Switzerland

The Reds man started England’s first two group games as a central midfielder, but could revert to a more familiar wing-back role on Saturday.

In the middle of the park, Declan Rice could once again be partnered by Kobbie Mainoo, following the youngster’s impressive display against Slovakia last time out.

On the left, Bukayo Saka could be deployed in a relatively unfamiliar wing-back role. The Arsenal man did play in the position as a youngster, but has established himself as England’s first choice on the right of a front three in recent years.

Forwards

It appears that Southgate could opt to select two ‘number tens’ to operate behind captain Harry Kane, who headed the winner against Slovakia in extra-time. The Bayern Munich man has now scored twice at the tournament, and he will be hoping to add to that tally on Saturday.

Bellingham scored a dramatic late equaliser against Slovakia last time out

Behind the striker, Southgate could select both Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden. The pair have been at the centre of much of the discussion surrounding England’s problems so far this summer, with Foden having been deployed on the left flank and Bellingham centrally.

Predicted XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Konsa; Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Mainoo, Saka; Bellingham, Foden, Kane