Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford are expected to start for England in the final World Cup group game against Panama, according to a leaked line-up.
Ahead of Saturday’s game at MetLife Stadium in New York, Thomas Tuchel has faced several selection dilemmas. Reece James, who had a relatively injury-free season with Chelsea before the World Cup, is out of Group L after a slight hamstring injury sustained in the 0-0 draw against Ghana.
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On James’ injury, Tuchel said:
“He hasn’t been able to train for the last two days. He is now in an accelerated rehabilitation program, and we are taking it game by game.
Tuchel claimed there is “some belief” that James will be available after the Panama game, but for now, the German has to improvise.
A report by Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio claims that Djed Spence will replace James at right-back, while Nico O’Reilly, Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi are expected to make up the back four. Jordan Pickford will start for the Three Lions, and Tuchel is expected to stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation.
Ahead of this weekend’s game, the coaching staff has also assessed Declan Rice’s form. He has “felt a little neural pain” in his hamstring since Christmas. Rice is expected to rest against Panama, according to the leaked line-up – with Kobbie Mainoo making his first World Cup start alongside Elliot Anderson.
It is said that Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford will operate in the attacking line alongside Harry Kane.
England’s opponents are expected to line up in a 5-4-1 formation. Orlando Mosquera is in goal, while Amir Murillo, Jiovany Ramos, José Córdoba, César Blackman and Andrés Andrade are expected in the back row. In midfield, Cristian Martínez, Carlos Harvey, Yoel Bárcenas and José Luis Rodríguez will neutralise England’s attacking threats, while José Fajardo is Panama’s target striker.
Leaked lineup
Panama (5–4–1): Mosquera – Murillo, Córdoba, Ramos, Andrade, Blackman – Martínez, Bárcenas, Harvey, Rodríguez – Fajardo
England (4-2-3-1): Pickford – Spence, Guehi, Konsa, O’Reilly – Mainoo, Anderson – Madueke, Bellingham, Rashford – Kane
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