England enter the final game of Group D with work to do to top the group, but equally in danger of slipping to third after meeting with the Czech Republic at Wembley on Tuesday night.
The Three Lions are behind the Czechs on goal difference as things stand, while Croatia and Scotland will do battle in a winner takes all for third spot and likely qualification to the knockout stages.
As a result, England won’t have the luxury of the likes of Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands before them to rotate the side going into the last match, and Gareth Southgate will have some decisions to make on underperforming players.
Jordan Pickford will continue in goal and could be boosted by the return of Harry Maguire alongside John Stones in front of him. The Manchester United captain returned to the bench against Scotland and could start here.
Full-back continues to be a position of intrigue, but with goals needed Southgate should opt with some of his more attacking options. Luke Shaw could remain at left-back, while Kieran Trippier will hope for a recall at the expense of Reece James on the right.
Kalvin Phillips will likely go again in midfield, but Jordan Henderson could come in for Declan Rice for his first minutes in the tournament thus far. Mason Mount should continue as the more advanced of the midfield trio.
Whether he actually wants to do it or simply caves to the expectance of the fans, Southgate could finally unleash Jack Grealish from the start after his blistering campaign for Aston Villa.
The England boss has declared his backing for Harry Kane up front with the Spurs man a sure thing to start again, but the final attacking position is under question.
Jadon Sancho has almost inexplicably not played a single minute in the tournament yet, with Phil Foden starting both games on the right-wing.
With the importance on the game, however, Southgate could opt for experience and simply shift Raheem Sterling to the right side to accommodate Grealish’s inclusion.
With so much quality remaining on England’s bench, movement to make changes in the face of sluggish performance will surely be quicker than it has been in previous games, with qualification potentially on the line.
England starting XI versus Czech Republic
