England will be looking to put in a commanding performance against Malta on Friday evening as they look to take another step closer to automatically qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Russia.
The Three Lions top Group F with 14 points from six games, but they are just two points above Slovakia, who they face on Tuesday evening.
Therefore, as they are expected to beat Malta quite easily, Southgate might opt to give some fringe players a chance to impress, saving the regulars for the crucial match against Slovakia next week. As a result, we expect to see a team that consists of both experience and youth.
Below is our predicted England XI for the match against Malta. We expect Southgate to play it relatively safe by going with a 4-2-3-1 formation.
GK: Jack Butland
Hart is England’s regular number 1, but we reckon Southgate will give Butland the nod for this one, saving Hart for Slovakia on Tuesday.
RB: Kyle Walker
We reckon Trippier would have played this match, but since he has withdrawn from injury, Walker will definitely play now.
CB: Gary Cahill
Has over 50 caps to his name, so we reckon he will play so that he can lend his experience to a relatively inexperienced back line.
CB: Harry Maguire
Has been mightily impressive for Leicester in their opening 3 matches, and we reckon he will be rewarded with his England debut on Friday.
LB: Aaron Cresswell
We reckon he will make his 3rd appearance for England while Bertrand is rested for the crucial game against Slovakia on Tuesday.
LM: Raheem Sterling
Has been in fine form for City so far this season, and we believe he will be tasked with causing chaos down the left wing.
DM: Jordan Henderson
We reckon Henderson will be given the captain’s armband for this one, so he’ll start.
DM: Nathan Chalobah
With Eric Dier suspended for this match, Chalobah should get his senior England debut.
CAM: Dele Alli
One of England’s best players at the moment and Southgate will be hoping he can help set up a few early goals (or score) to calm any would-be nerves.
RM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
It was a toss-up between Oxlade Chamberlain and Lingard, and we think Southgate will go with the former.
ST: Harry Kane
As one of the most potent finishers England have had for a while, he has got to start. Will be expecting to score in this one.