England will be looking to secure qualification for the last 16 of the World Cup with victory against the USA in Group B on Friday night in The Al Bayt Stadium, Qatar.
A thumping 6-2 win against Iran in the opener allayed any fears over the Three Lion’s form heading into the tournament having not won a competitive game in over a year prior to heading out to the Middle East.
Gareth Southgate got all the big calls right against Iran including switching from his preferred 3-4-3 formation to a more attacking 4-3-3 with Mason Mount excelling on the left side of the midfield three.
The Americans will provide a tougher test than Iran and Southgate will make sure England do not get ahead of themselves having scored six goals in a match for just the second time ever at a World Cup.
The Three Lions will be sweating on the fitness of captain and talisman Harry Kane who is awaiting results of an ankle scan which took place on Wednesday morning.
It remains to be seen if Southgate will stick with the 4-3-3 or go for more stability with the tried and tested 3-4-3 to combat the attacking threat of the USA.
Eric Dier can be expected to come into the back three if England do revert to that system with Harry Maguire and John Stones accompanying him.
In the wide positions Bukayo Saka put in a man of the match performance against Iran and the ever reliant Raheem Sterling proved his worth in an England shirt once again, and the pair can expect to retain their places in the side with Kyle Walker hoping to prove his fitness and make the squad.
The USA head into this game knowing a defeat will leave Gregg Berhalter and his side facing an uphill task to qualify for the last 16 and they will be pinning their hopes on star man Christian Pulisic.
The Stars and Stripes were in control of their opener against Wales thanks to Timothy Weah’s goal but a late penalty from Gareth Bale meant they had to settle for a point.
The USA were handed a massive boost in their game against Wales with Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest both fit to start having recovered from a groin injury and fatigue respectively.
Leeds’ Brenden Aaronson, who came off the bench, will be hoping to start as will talented youngster Giovanni Reyna who was an unused substitute in the first match.
For all our World cup coverage click here.
Visit the Fifa World Cup website here.
Featured image credit: ITV Sport Youtube channel
