Wednesday 28 March 2018 13:17, UK
After the latest round of friendlies, we look at England's most likely XI to start the World Cup, according to Sky Bet's odds.
Gareth Southgate took the chance to look at a number of different options during the 1-0 win over the Netherlands and 1-1 draw with Italy, including Kyle Walker as part of a back three, Marcus Rashford leading the line and handing first caps to James Tarkowski and Lewis Cook.
With only June's friendlies against Nigeria and Costa Rica to come before the World Cup begins, here's a look at England's most likely starting line-up to face Tunisia according to Sky Bet's market...
Jordan Pickford (1/2 with Sky Bet)
Southgate may have split playing time evenly between Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland against the Netherlands and Italy, but it is the one who kept the clean sheet who is deemed most likely to start. Pickford produced an assured display to keep the Netherlands' limited attacking threat at bay, while Butland could not save Lorenzo Insigne's penalty. Butland is now 5/2 to face Tunisia in the opening match at the World Cup, with Joe Hart out to 8/1 while Nick Pope, who also failed to feature despite a first call-up, is 16/1 to be thrown in at the deep end.
Kyle Walker (1/10 with Sky Bet)
Whether it is at right wing-back or as part of a back three, Walker is considered the most likely defender to start in Russia. Indeed, alongside Harry Kane, he holds the shortest odds to be in Southgate's starting XI. Few would debate his inclusion after helping Manchester City storm towards the Premier League title, while gaining additional European experience with an impressive Champions League campaign.
John Stones (1/6 with Sky Bet)
Despite losing his regular place in Pep Guardiola's side and nearly gifting Italy an early goal on Tuesday, John Stones is also short odds to face Tunisia. Southgate clearly favours his eagerness to play out from the back, playing him for all but 17 minutes across the two friendlies, alongside Walker and three other central defenders.
Harry Maguire (1/2 with Sky Bet)
The remaining centre-back slots appear up for grabs and are likely to depend on whether Southgate is settled on the idea of Walker being part of a back three or used as a wing-back. Kieran Tripper was cut from 4/1 to 11/10 after featuring on the flank but Sky Bet still hold Maguire and Eric Dier at shorter odds to start.
Eric Dier (1/6 with Sky Bet)
The other key issue is whether Southgate sees Dier as a better defender or midfielder. Based on him being used at centre-back against Italy and Trippier still being odds-against to start, we've put him in the back three, but he is also shorter odds than any of the central midfield options, should Maguire and Walker be preferred.
Ryan Bertrand (1/1 with Sky Bet)
Perhaps Southgate's toughest call in the team. Ryan Bertrand and Danny Rose (5/4) are almost inseparable in the market. Bertrand was forced to withdraw from the latest squad due to a back problem but started the majority of England's qualifiers, with Rose hampered by a knee injury before struggling to force his way back into Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham starting XI. Having impressed in the role for Manchester United, Ashley Young (4/1) also produced an assured performance against the Azzurri, while his team-mate Luke Shaw is all but written off at 25/1.
Jordan Henderson (5/6 with Sky Bet)
The other tight call is whether Jordan Henderson or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (1/1) are handed the job of marshalling the middle of the park. The Liverpool team-mates started together against the Netherlands and, despite impressing, are still very much fighting for their places, but are now significantly shorter odds than Jack Wilshere (5/2), who missed out due to another injury setback.
Dele Alli (1/2 with Sky Bet)
The two-time PFA Young Player of the Year had been one of the bankers to start in Russia but has drifted from 1/6 to 1/2 following his limited involvement in England's last two games. Whether that is down to questions over his form this season, testament to Southgate's faith in his abilities or simply due to a niggling injury, which also restricted his training time, it allowed Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jesse Lingard to press their cases.
Jess Lingard (8/11 with Sky Bet)
Indeed, Manchester United's Lingard seized his opportunity by scoring the winner against the Netherlands and is now odds-on to start England's opener. That sees team-mate Marcus Rashford (4/5) drop out of the most likely XI, while Danny Welbeck is 12/1 despite appearing on the left flank as a substitute against the Dutch.
Raheem Sterling (1/6 with Sky Bet)
While debate will surround who should start on the left, Raheem Sterling's position seems assured following a campaign of impressive improvement under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The 23-year-old boasts 15 goals and seven assists this season, comfortably making it his most productive campaign, and is likely to be one of three City players to start on June 18.
Harry Kane (1/10 with Sky Bet)
Tottenham's main man may have had to watch on as Jamie Vardy pressed his case with a goal against Italy, but the odds suggest he has little to worry about. Indeed, only further ankle problems are likely to prevent him from leading the line, while he is also 4/5 favourite to be captain ahead of Henderson (5/2) and Dier (3/1).
