Soccer
Predicting England's World Cup starting XI for Norway quarter-final clash
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After an edge-of-your-seat win over Mexico, England need to get past Norway for a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Norway have been billed as one of the dark horses for this tournament, and they claimed their first major scalp in the last 16 when they beat Brazil 2-1 and dominated the match at MetLife Stadium.
While Brazil are in a mess, England are anything but with Thomas Tuchel seeing his plan for winning this trophy coming together.
Team selection will prove vital for England against a Norway team which possesses one of, if not the best striker in world football.
Ahead of kick-off in Miami, DAZN News predicts England’s starting XI for tonight’s match against Norway.
GOALKEEPER: Jordan Pickford
England’s number one, simple as that, and he will start.
Depth chart: Dean Henderson, James Trafford
RIGHT BACK: Reece James
Tuchel has chosen to be cautious with Reece James in the knockout stages as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
But it looks like the Chelsea captain will be fit to start against Norway, and for England fans, this will be a sigh of relief as the right-hand side has been an area of weakness during this tournament so far.
Depth chart: Ezri Knosa
CENTRE BACKS: Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa (or a surprise start for Dan Burn)
Consistent team selection is key in the latter stages of a tournament, and Tuchel will likely be no different for his centre-back pairing of Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa.
However, there is a case for Dan Burn to start after his heroic 16 or so minutes against Mexico. At six foot, seven inches, the centre back is a giant of a defender, and he may be just what’s needed to battle with Haaland.
The Norwegian star will be a huge threat in the air, and England’s defence need to be physical with him and meet him head-on; therefore, Burn may be just the man to do that.
There have been worries in the build-up about Guehi's fitness after picking up a hamstring strain following the win over Mexico, therefore, there is a strong chance of Burn getting the nod to start in tonight's World Cup quarter-final.
Depth chart: John Stones, Dan Burn, Trevoh Chalobah
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LEFT BACK: Nico O’Reilly
The Manchester City defender will keep his place at left back, but he will need to be careful with his actions, one more yellow card will see him suspended for the semi-final.
Depth chart: Djed Spence
CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS: Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo
England’s first-choice central midfield partnership of Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson could be broken for tonight's quarter-final.
Rice has been battling a sickness bug over the past few days, and it is not known whether he will be fully fit to face Norway.
If he is unavailable, then Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo will come into central midfield.
Depth chart: Declan Rice
RIGHT WING: Bukayo Saka
In his first start of the tournament, Bukayo Saka had an instant impact, playing a crucial role in England’s first two goals against Mexico.
After recovering from an Achilles injury, this performance will have done Saka the world of good, confidence-wise, and having an attacking player full of confidence is exactly what’s needed against a physical Norway defence.
Depth chart: Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford
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ATTACKING MIDFIELD / NUMBER 10: Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham, the man in form and at the centre of everything England does, he will be a major influence on whether England progress.
Depth chart: Morgan Rogers
LEFT WING: Anthony Gordon
Anthony Gordon will be a perfect weapon in this meeting with Norway.
The Norwegians have a tendency to commit loads of players forward, leaving them vulnerable to the counter, and Gordon, someone with plenty of pace, will make use of the space left vacant to create chances.
Depth chart: Marcus Rashford, Eberechi Eze
STRIKER: Harry Kane
England’s captain fantastic and is scoring for fun at this World Cup.
He is the first name on the team sheet.
Depth chart: Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney, Marcus Rashford
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