Republic of Ireland v England: Predicted Three Lions XI

Interim England boss Lee Carsley will take charge of the Three Lions for the first time when they face the Republic of Ireland on Saturday afternoon.

Carsley stepped up from his role as Under-21s manager to replace Gareth Southgate who departed following defeat against Spain in the final of the European Championships earlier this summer.

The ex-Ireland international has handed first senior call-ups to four players, and he will have plenty of big decisions to make for the match.

Here, we predict the XI that Carsley could select for the game in Dublin.

Goalkeeper

Jordan Pickford has been England’s first choice goalkeeper for several years now, and was one of the Three Lions’ best performers at the Euros earlier this summer. Pickford has now been capped 68 times by his country, and he is likely to keep his place under Carsley.

Defenders

Kyle Walker was a notable omission from Carsley’s squad, with the full-back being eased back in at club level with Manchester City. In his absence, Trent Alexander-Arnold could start at right-back. He has primarily played as a midfielder for Liverpool of late, but he could revert to his natural right-back position with Carsley short of options.

In the centre of defence, John Stones is likely to once again be partnered by Marc Guehi. The pair were impressive at centre-back during the Euros, and Guehi appears to have established himself as Stones’ defensive partner for the long-term.

Stones and Guehi will likely start against Ireland on Saturday

Harry Maguire has been recalled to the squad after missing the Euros due to injury, but he will now have to fight to win his starting spot back.

Left-back is another problem area for England, with both Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell not selected due to injury and lack of recent game time. In their absence, debutant Tino Livramento could be given a start. The Newcastle United man is traditionally a right-back, but has played on the left of defence for the Magpies over the past year or so.

Levi Colwill and Ezri Konsa are other options at left-back, but the two central defenders may instead have to settle for places on the bench.

Midfielders

Declan Rice will likely pay the role of pantomime villain for the Dublin crowd, having switched his international allegiance to England after playing three times for Ireland at senior level. Rice has become a mainstay for England over the past few years, and he is likely to start in Dublin on Saturday.

The Arsenal man could be partnered by Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo, who enjoyed an outstanding breakthrough season last term and starred for England at the Euros in Germany. The 19-year-old is regarded by many as one of the likely stars of the England side for the next decade.

Mainoo has established himself as a regular for both Manchester United and England

Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze has started the new season in fine form and will likely be deployed in the advanced midfield role. The winger netted a stunning goal for the Eagles against Chelsea last weekend, and will hope to make his eighth appearance for England on Saturday.

Forwards

Anthony Gordon was perhaps a little unlucky to make just one substitute appearance for England at the recent Euros, but the Newcastle United winger could be given a rare start on Saturday.

Through the middle, captain Harry Kane is almost certain to start as the only recognised centre forward in the squad following Ollie Watkins’ withdrawal due to injury. The Bayern Munich star will be hoping to add to his record tally of 66 goals for his country.

Kane will be hoping to add to his tally of 66 goals for England during the international break

On the left, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is set to start. The Gunners winger has established himself as one of the Three Lions’ most important players over the past few years, and he has also started the new season strongly for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Predicted XI: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Guehi, Livramento; Rice, Mainoo, Eze; Saka, Kane, Gordon.