Rotating from a position of strength rather than panic, Tuchel is expected to reshape his starting XI for the Wembley meeting with Czechia on Tuesday night. GiveMeSport predicts that Eze and Gordon, described by the outlet as the “£135m duo”, will drop to the substitutes’ bench despite both playing in the 7-0 win in Rijeka on Friday.
The predicted lineup is: Jordan Pickford; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marc Guehi, Jarrad Branthwaite, Myles Lewis-Skelly; James Garner, Elliot Anderson; Rio Ngumoha, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers; Harry Kane.
Branthwaite is in line to win his first senior England cap at Wembley, with the Everton defender tipped to partner Guehi at centre-back.
Rotation after the Croatia rout
England arrived in London on the back of their biggest win under Tuchel. Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka both scored twice in Rijeka, with Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and substitute Morgan Rogers also on the scoresheet in the 7-0 win.
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The short Friday-to-Tuesday turnaround has forced Tuchel’s hand on freshness.
“Unfortunately, it is the second time we play Saturday-Tuesday. If the game was on Wednesday, then there would be no need for rotation at all,” Tuchel told reporters in comments reported by GiveMeSport. “So it will be a mix.”
The compressed schedule, rather than any dip in form, is the stated reason behind the shuffle. England sit at the top of their Nations League group after beating Czechia 2-0 away in Prague on Matchday 2 and then dismantling Croatia on Matchday 3.
Scott out, Branthwaite in
Alex Scott will not add to the full debut he earned in Rijeka. The midfielder picked up a quadriceps injury that worsened after the Croatia match and is now facing around eight weeks out, with Tuchel admitting the setback came out of nowhere.
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“He trained in full before Croatia, did extra work after the training sessions; we knew he was in treatment but there were only green lights from him and the medics,” Tuchel told reporters, in quotes carried by GiveMeSport.
Nico O’Reilly and Ezri Konsa have also been unavailable, with O’Reilly back at Manchester City for treatment and Konsa out with a thigh problem. Rico Lewis has been drafted in from the Under-21s to fill the squad gap.
Kane closing in on cap record
The former Tottenham striker arrives at Wembley on the brink of history. Kane is set to equal England men’s all-time appearance record during this international window, with his double in Rijeka taking his senior tally for the Three Lions further out in front at the top of the men’s goal charts.
Kick-off at Wembley is at 7:45pm BST, with the match shown live on ITV.
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