England will face off against Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium in the opening match of their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign on Monday afternoon. The Three Lions are in a poor run of form of late, so Gareth Southgate will have a mammoth task of getting the best out of his players in Qatar later this month.
The England national side will set themselves up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Harry Kane expected to lead the charge for the Three Lions up top.
4-2-3-1 England Predicted Lineup To Face Iran
Defence
Jordan Pickford will operate in goal for England as he looks to bag a clean sheet versus Iran in the opening game of this World Cup. John Stones could get the nod to feature alongside Harry Maguire at the heart of Southgate’s defence as they try to keep things solid at the back during the 90 minutes.
Kieran Trippier will be a nailed-on starter at right-back while Luke Shaw hopes to catch the eye on the other flank as the left-back. Both of them will have the license to get forward and express themselves in the final third in the hope of creating some decent chances for their teammates up top.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Eric Dier will be available for selection on the bench as they offer cover for the defensive positions.
Midfield
Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice will anchor the midfield for the Three Lions as they try to establish their superiority over the opposition at the centre of the park and engineer some decent chances for England to win this game.
The gifted trio of Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount and Phil Foden will operate just ahead of them as part of Southgate’s attack. Both Sterling and Foden have to find a way to stretch the Iranian defence out on the wide areas.
Jordan Henderson and Conor Gallagher will be named on the bench as they wait for their chance to shine in the second 45 minutes if needed.
Attack
Harry Kane will spearhead England’s attack on his own up top. The English striker has been in a good run of form for Tottenham Hotspur of late and will be eager to put in a productive performance at the Khalifa International Stadium this Monday afternoon.
Marcus Rashford and Callum Wilson will have to settle for a place on the bench but might come on in the latter stages of the contest if Southgate decides to call upon their services.
