England predicted lineup vs Iceland today - International friendly
- England take on Iceland in final game before Euro 2024
- Gareth Southgate named 26-man squad for tournament on Thursday
- Last chance for players to impress the manager
There's one last chance for members of England's Euro 2024 squad to impress with the Three Lions taking on Iceland at Wembley on Friday night.
Gareth Southgate named his final 26-man squad on Thursday night, omitting a number of high-profile stars in favour of more in-form but unproven alternatives.
England's camp began with a 3-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday in which Crystal Palace stars Adam Wharton and Eberechi Eze impressed. However, with their Euro 2024 opener just over a week away, Southgate is set to name a strong starting XI at Wembley to allow his projected starters in Germany to regain their rhythm.
Here's how the Three Lions could line up against Iceland on Friday.
England predicted lineup vs Iceland (4-2-3-1)
GK: Jordan Pickford - While it'd be nice to give one of the other options a run-out, Pickford will play every minute at Euro 2024 and may as well retain his place on Friday night.
RB: Kyle Walker - The veteran right-back has been a key figure during Southgate's reign, playing in a myriad of roles. Walker will be expected to perform a more traditional full-back function this summer.
CB: John Stones - Minutes will be important for Stones on Friday given the stop-start season he endured. The centre-back was absent on Monday night.
CB: Marc Guehi - For the first time since Euro 2016, Maguire won't be part of an England squad for an international tournament due to injury. It's Guehi, who is comfortable on the left side of defence, who looks likeliest to partner Stones during the summer.
LB: Joe Gomez - With Luke Shaw facing a race against time to be fit for the start of the tournament, left-back is the one problem area for England. There's not a natural alternative, but Gomez did make plenty of starts down the left for Liverpool last season.
CM: Trent Alexander-Arnold - One of the standouts at St James' Park, Alexander-Arnold is surely too great a talent to ignore. Kobbie Mainoo and Wharton should also earn minutes.
CM: Declan Rice - The Arsenal midfielder won't have Kalvin Phillips alongside him this summer, meaning Rice will take on even greater importance as England's stabiliser.
RW: Bukayo Saka - Saka carried a knock into camp and didn't feature against Bosnia. However, the Arsenal winger was spotted in training ahead of Friday's game and should be good for 45 minutes at least.
AM: Jude Bellingham - Fresh off Real Madrid's 15th Champions League success, the expectations are sky-high for Bellingham this summer. He'll ease into a hectic period with a start on Friday but won't be lasting more than an hour.
LW: Phil Foden - Foden also didn't feature on Monday, so he should come into the side at Wembley. Like Bellingham, the Manchester City superstar is expected to inspire the Three Lions in Germany.
ST: Harry Kane - Kane shook off a back injury to earn minutes off the bench against Bosnia and the skipper sealed England's victory with a poacher's effort late on. The striker will be looking to add to his record goal tally on Friday.