England vs. Panama
- When: Sunday 24 June
- Kick-off time: 1pm
- Where: Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod
- TV channel: live on BBC One
Earlier this week Three Lions coach Steve Holland was pictured in training holding a note with the formation and a potential line-up that could face Panama.
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England boss Gareth Southgate is likely to select a 3-5-2 formation with Rashford replacing Raheem Sterling in attack alongside captain Harry Kane. While Ruben Loftus-Cheek could take the place of Dele Alli who is an injury doubt.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Panama head coach Hernan Dario Gomez has no injury worries for the clash at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
England can secure qualification for the World Cup round of 16 with victory against Panama.
England vs. Panama predictions
The Daily Telegraph: “To avoid embarrassing defeats at the World Cup, Panama have experimented with five defenders and they limited the damage in a friendly against Denmark in March to a 1-0 loss. England have often struggled to break defensive teams down, but once the first goal goes in, expect the floodgates to open. Predicted score: England 4 Panama 0.”
Simon Mullock, Daily Mirror: “I would expect England to win. Maybe not as comfortable as how Belgium beat Panama [3-0] but I’m going to go for 2-0, England win.”
Lee Stobbs, GQ: “A comprehensive win at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium would be ideal for England players and fans to sail through the group stages on a high but, in truth, any type of victory will do. For the Three Lions, it is about continuing to show commitment, confidence and a will to win. Something we all now have in our manager. Finally.”
England vs. Panama predicted starting XIs
How the teams could line up at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, according to Fifa.com:
- England (3-5-2): Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire; Kieran Trippier, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jordan Henderson, Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young; Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane
- Panama (4-5-1): Jaime Penedo; Roman Torres, Fidel Escobar, Michael Murillo, Eric Davis; Gabriel Gomez, Anibal Godoy, Armando Cooper, Edgar Barcenas, Jose Luis Rodriguez; Blas Perez
Group G results, fixtures and live TV channels
- Belgium 3 Panama 0
- Tunisia 1 England 2
- 23 June: Belgium vs. Tunisia (1pm, BBC)
- 24 June: England vs. Panama (1pm, BBC)
- 28 June: England vs. Belgium (7pm, ITV); Panama vs. Tunisia (7pm, ITV4)