Predicted XI

Plenty of changes - How England could line-up against Iceland

Gareth Southgate's men now cannot qualify for the Nations League finals, so expect some fringe squad players to be given a chance

 
10:58am on Wednesday 18th November 2020
By
Martin Macdonald

England manager Gareth Southgate is set to ring the changes when the Three Lions take on Iceland in the Nations League.

Following the 2-0 defeat against Belgium, England now cannot qualify for the Nations League finals, meaning that the game against Iceland is effectively meaningless.

However, it will present him the opportunity to perhaps try an untested formation as well as provide some game time to those on the periphery of the first team.

Against Belgium, Ben Chilwell was taken off in the first half with a back injury, and although he has trained since, it is doubtful England will risk the wrath of Chelsea to play him in dead rubber fixture.

Jodan Henderson was also injured in that game and probably won't be involved, while Raheem Sterling didn't even make the squad against the Belgians due to a minor injury.

There is a plethora of changes that Southgate could make to his starting XI, with Nick Pope, Michael Keane, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jadon Sancho all pushing for a start after missing out in the opening line-up against Belgium.

Jack Grealish, who starred in England's last game despite the 2-0 loss, will likely be rested, too, along with the likes of Harry Kane.

Southgate received criticism for the use of his 3-4-3 formation a few days ago, but he is likely to persist with it for now.

Reece James is suspended, but Harry Maguire is back from a ban and could start.

Predicted England XI v Iceland

ENG - Football tactics and formations

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