England meet Senegal in the Round of 16 at the 2022 Qatar World Cup this Sunday. Gareth Southgate also faces big calls on his XI as Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka push to start.
The Three Lions boss gave Rashford his chance to impress in their final Group B game with Wales. Saka fell to the bench with Raheem Sterling as Phil Foden also came in for their 3-0 win. Rashford struck their first and third goals in a thoroughly convincing individual display.
Beating Wales ensured England topped their group and set up a Round of 16 clash against Group A runners-up, Senegal. The Lions of Teranga have overcome Sadio Mane’s absence due to a fibula injury to make the knockout stages at a World Cup for just the second time.
Southgate faces key decisions over his England XI to face Senegal on Sunday
Southgate giving Rashford the chance to impress he grabbed with both hands has left the England coach with a welcome selection headache. He must now decide whether to drop one of the Three Lions’ best players in the 6-2 win over Iran, Saka, or to recall the forward.
Kyle Walker also returned from groin surgery to face Wales with Kieran Trippier dropping out. While Southgate rested Mason Mount against Cymru with Jordan Henderson coming in for the Chelsea midfielder. So, Southgate has decisions in every area but his goalkeeper.
Jordan Pickford (GK): Only an injury will keep England’s No.1 out of their XI
HITC Football names Jordan Pickford in our predicted England XI face Senegal as only an injury is likely to see Southgate bench him. The Everton star has stayed alert even when rarely tested so far in Qatar. He also made some strong saves en route to two clean sheets.
Kyle Walker (RB): Southgate is to stick with the defender after his sharp return
Walker likely offered enough against Wales to remain in the England XI against Senegal on Sunday. The Manchester City man was lively in his first game since October 2 and will give an improved option to Trippier. The Newcastle ace has been sloppy in possession at times.
John Stones (CB): England will need the centre-half to move the ball better
Southgate trusts John Stones to hold down England’s right-sided centre-back position. But the Manchester City star will need to move the ball far better against Senegal than he did against Wales. His efforts on the ball also did the Three Lions no favours against the USA.
Harry Maguire (CB): The defender has repaid Southgate’s trust tenfold so far
Harry Maguire had only started one of his two Premier League appearances since August before flying to Qatar. Yet the Manchester United man started all three of England’s group ties. He has also been one of their best and most consistent performers at the World Cup.
Luke Shaw (LB): Sarr will look to give the defender his first real test in Qatar
Luke Shaw has mostly gone through this World Cup without being tested defensively that often. The Manchester United left-back could be set for his toughest test yet, however, as Ismaila Sarr will look to cause problems after scoring the penalty he won against Ecuador.
Jude Bellingham (CM): The World Cup stage is not too grand for this teenager
Jude Bellingham is showing the World Cup stage is not too grand for the 19-year-old in an instrumental role. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder gives the England XI their edge in the centre ahead of facing Senegal. His charging runs are unmatched in the Three Lions’ ranks.
Declan Rice (CM): England’s anchor will set the tone in their Round of 16 match
Declan Rice is not taking the headlines but Southgate does not need the West Ham captain to. HITC Football predicts the 23-year-old to start in England’s XI against Senegal as he sets their tone when not left isolated. His unimaginative passes allow his teammates to attack.
Mason Mount (CM): Southgate to recall the Chelsea midfielder over Henderson
Mount has not had a great World Cup but HITC Football predicts he will make England’s XI against Senegal. The Chelsea midfielder dropped out for Henderson against Wales after an energetic but ineffective role against the USA. Yet Southgate trusts what Mount can give.
Bukayo Saka (RW): England to start the Arsenal ace over Foden against Senegal
Foden came in for Saka against Wales and scored after moving to the left. But his work on the right was not enough to see the Manchester City ace now keep the Arsenal star out of England’s XI against Senegal. Saka’s clinical work on the ball drove his nation against Iran.
Harry Kane (ST): Senegal offers the England skipper his next chance to get going
Like Pickford, HITC Football predicts it will take an injury for Southgate to drop Harry Kane from England’s XI against Senegal. Even though the striker has only taken seven touches in an opponent’s area through three games and is yet to score, he is the Three Lions’ captain.
Marcus Rashford (LW): Southgate has no choice but to keep the winger in his XI
Rashford is simply undroppable for the Three Lions after his efforts against Wales. Sterling, then, will struggle to force a way back into Southgate’s XI after a mostly anonymous game against the USA. And as Saka deserves a place on the right, Foden is also likely to miss out.
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