Euro 2024

[monks data]

Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage

Jun 19, 2023 at 7.45pm UK

Old Trafford

England
7 - 0
N. Macedonia

Kane (29', 73' pen.), Saka (38', 47', 51'), Rashford (45'), Phillips (64')
Rice (41'), Phillips (77')

FT(HT: 3-0)

Bejtulai (72')

How England could line up against North Macedonia

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter

Published: June 17 2023 | 09:55

Last updated: June 17 2023 | 13:07

How England could line up against North Macedonia

Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how England could line up for Monday's Euro 2024 qualifying Group C clash with North Macedonia.

England manager Gareth Southgate is confident that Bukayo Saka will be fit for Monday's Euro 2024 qualifying Group C game with North Macedonia at Old Trafford.

The Arsenal attacker jarred his ankle during Friday's 4-0 triumph over Malta, and despite carrying on until half time, he was ultimately replaced by Phil Foden.

However, Southgate revealed after the game that Saka was only taken off as a precautionary measure, and the 21-year-old should be given the green light to play on Monday.

The England boss need not take any unnecessary risks with Saka's fitness given his array of attacking options, though, and it would therefore not be a surprise to see Foden come in from the off.

Marcus Rashford could also take the place of James Maddison on the left, but all-time top scorer Harry Kane will start through the middle on the back of netting his 50th competitive goal for England.

Having starred in an inverted role for Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold started as an out-and-out midfielder on Friday and put in one of his finest performances for the Three Lions yet, scoring a wonderful second goal on the night.

The 24-year-old could form part of an unchanged engine room with Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson, while Jordan Pickford, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw should all retain their places in defence.

However, with the Manchester City contingent seemingly recovered from their Champions League celebrations, Kyle Walker and John Stones could now provide fresh legs over Kieran Trippier and Marc Guehi.

England possible starting lineup: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Henderson; Foden, Kane, Rashford