England vs Panama Preview

Image from YouTube

Wetherspoons, replenish your kegs because England are facing their second opponents of the World Cup in Panama on Sunday. After Belgium hammered Tunisia 5-2, England need a goal difference of seven against the Central American side to level with Belgium on points and goal difference. England are likely to make a few substitutions with Danny Rose being requested by the fans to come in for Ashley Young as the Manchester United player was not as lethal in wide areas as Kieran Trippier. Dele Alli has had a niggling injury from the Tunisia game and could be substituted for either Rashford or Loftus-Cheek depending on how Soutgate decides to line England up against Panama. The rest of the team should stay the same and aim to build on their narrow win against Tunisia and guarantee qualification from the group stages.

PREDICTED LINEUP
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
Was unchallenged against Tunisia but will certainly keep his position as he was more comfortable on the ball and will aim for a clean sheet.

Defenders: Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Gary Cahill, Danny Rose
Harry Maguire should make way for Cahill as Maguire got caught out a lot by the Tunisian attackers and Gary Cahill is a big prescence at the back and a natural leader who can coach John Stones on and off the pitch. Rose as previously mentioned is naturally left-footed and may offer more than Young now he is fitter.

Midfielders: Jordan Henderson, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling,
With Dele Alli making way, it seems clear that Sterling may drop deeper and play alongside Jesse Lingard and counter-attack with pace from a more central position. Hendo should stay in as his variety of passing was crucial against Tunisia and ought to keep his place.

Forwards: Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane
When Rashford came on he was electric and deserves a start. As for Kane, the skipper scored a winning brace and his place in this side is guaranteed. A world class striker who will want to score many more…

This should be a good game as Panama need a win to stay in the World Cup and so this could play into England’s hands with a high press. England will want to score buckets of goals and could easily do so if they are clinical. Could football be coming home? Too ealy to say but hey ho lets get the football fans excited.