England manager Gareth Southgate is likely to select Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori against the Czech Republic as he freshens up his squad for the Three Lions’ latest European Championship qualifying clash.
England boast a 100 per cent record in Group A after four victories, scoring 19 goals and conceding on just four occasions.
Southgate is set to hand Mount a start in midfield ahead of Chelsea team-mate Ross Barkley, with the playmaker having impressed domestically this season under Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge.
The withdrawal of Leicester ace James Maddison from the squad due to illness has further increased Mount’s chances of starting, while fellow Blues youngster Tomori is in contention to make his senior international debut.
A shaky defensive performance in the 5-3 win over Kosovo has cast doubt over Southgate’s first-choice central defensive pairing of Harry Maguire and Michael Keane, with the latter in danger of missing out tonight.
And Joe Gomez has struggled for game time at Liverpool due to Joel Matip’s fine form so Tomori and Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings look set to battle for the starting berth alongside Maguire.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben Chilwell are most likely to occupy the full-back spots with Kyle Walker left out of the squad again, although Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose are included and offer viable alternatives.
Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson has earned his first call-up due to Tom Heaton’s injury but Jordan Pickford will continue between the posts.
Further forward, Declan Rice is most likely to anchor the midfield – particularly after Fabian Delph’s injury-enforced withdrawal – while Jordan Henderson should also start over Harry Winks.
Dele Alli, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jesse Lingard were all overlooked by Southgate for the current squad so Mount should complete the midfield trio.
And Harry Kane will lead the line with support from Jadon Sancho and Raheem Sterling in the wide positions.
However, another Chelsea youngster in the form of Tammy Abraham will hope to feature while Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson is also in the squad.
England predicted line-up vs Czech Republic – Euro 2020 qualifier
(4-3-3): Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Tomori, Maguire, Chilwell; Rice, Henderson, Mount; Sancho, Sterling, Kane
