England World Cup squad: Gareth Southgate’s likely starting XI for Three Lions’ opening game with Tunisia

Is this who Southgate will pick for England's opening group game?

Gareth Southgate has finally named his 23-man squad for this 2018 World Cup, plus his stand-bys, so all attention is now on how he whittles that group down to his starting XI for the opener against Tunisia on 18 June.

England have Tunisia, Panama and Belgium in their group, but how will Southgate choose to line-up?

From what we know from recent games, it looks as though Southgate will opt for a 3-4-2-1 formation, so is this his starting XI?

Goalkeeper:

Jordan Pickford. The Everton goalkeeper is a firm favourite of Southgate’s despite being the youngest stopper in the squad, with Jack Butland likely to be his deputy. Pickford has experience with England’s under-21 at an international tournament with Southgate and that appears to have counted for something in this selection.

Back three:

We already know Kyle Walker will be played on the inside right of the three centre-backs, with Southgate likely to opt for John Stones and Phil Jones to complete the trio.

Walker is certainly England’s best right-back but Southgate appears to have big ideas for him as a centre-back, using his pace to cover the marauding wing-backs and his passing abilities to launch attacks from deep.

Kyle Walker impressed in an unfamiliar defensive role (Getty Images)

Jones has improved no end this season at Manchester United but tailed off towards the end of the campaign after picking up injuries but Stones is the one with the biggest question mark over his head, having not played too much for Manchester City since Christmas. Gary Cahill or Harry Maguire could be set to deputise.

Wing backs:

With Walker playing in the back three, that leaves a space for either Kieran Trippier or Trent Alexander-Arnold to fill the right wing-back spot. It will likely be the Spurs man, having been Southgate’s more regular choice to fill the position.

Trippier is fighting it out with Trent Alexander-Arnold to be an England starter (Getty)

On the other flank it looks like Ashley Young’s remarkable form at United will earn him a starting berth over Danny Rose, who has barely featured for Spurs. Fabian Delph, another converted midfielder, is another option in that position but Young’s pace and crossing ability look set to win him the battle.

Central midfield:

Jordan Henderson, who is one of the contenders to be captain, looks a near certainty to be starting against Tunisia, with his energy and passing ability integral for starting attacks and retaining possession, but it is his partner in the middle which is less certain.

Eric Dier is the probable candidate to fill that position given England’s lack of other defensive-minded midfielders available. Ruben Loftus-Cheek could also fill the position if Southgate wants to opt for a more attacking option but Dier looks to have it sewn up.

Attacking midfield:

Raheem Sterling will be the first, and one of the first on the entire teamsheet. His 18 Premier League goals and 11 assists this season makes him perhaps England’s most in-form player going into the World Cup.

Jesse Lingard impressed against the Netherlands (Getty Images)

It is a straight shoot-out between Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli for that second spot, which is one of the more competitive positions in the team. Lingard’s industry and willingness to track back coupled with the improvement of his end product this season could see him sneak into the XI just ahead of Alli if Southgate is to go on form.

Striker:

Harry Kane will likely play every minute of the tournament with Jamie Vardy and Marcus Rashford used sparingly off the bench as opponents’ legs being to tire. Kane could well take the armband for the tournament as well.

Harry Kane on the ball during the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier between England and Slovenia at Wembley Stadium. (Getty)

Full starting XI:

Pickford; Walker, Stones, Jones; Trippier, Henderson, Dier, Young; Sterling, Lingard; Kane.

Full England squad for World Cup 2018:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jack Butland (Stoke), Nick Pope (Burnley)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Danny Rose (all Tottenham), Harry Maguire (Leicester), Phil Jones (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Gary Cahill (Chelsea)

Midfielder: Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Eric Dier, Dele Alli (both Tottenham), Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young (both Man Utd), Fabian Delph (Man City), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea),

Forwards: Raheem Sterling (Man City), Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal).

Standby: Tom Heaton, James Tarkowski (both Burnley), Lewis Cook (Bournemouth), Jake Livemore (West Bromwich Albion), Adam Lallana (Liverpool).