England Predicted Lineup vs Japan

This is an England predicted lineup for their second friendly of the international break. After naming a bigger squad than usual, the manager gave chances to a number of fringe players in the match against Uruguay with some players able to play their way into consideration, while others have likely dropped out entirely. With a number of regulars arriving late, they will likely come in and get some game time here to test out pairings and tactical acumen.

England Predicted Lineup & Team News vs Japan

How England Have Lined Up Recently

There were a whole host of chances between their final qualifier for the World Cup and the friendly a few days ago, this shows the current split between the favoured 11 and the rest. Dean Henderson, Nico O’Reilly, John Stones, Jorrel Quensah, and Dan Burn were the five at the back against Albania, but even that left out Ezri Konsa, who is a favourite of Thomas Tuchel, and Jordan Henderson.

Declan Rice, Adam Wharton, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, and Jarrod Bowen were the midfielders in that one supporting Harry Kane up front, pairings dependent, these are some of the core members of the team.

Compare that to the friendly lineup which gave James Trafford, Fikayo Tomori, Tino Livramento, Harry Maguire, and Djed Spence a run out as a back four. Jordan Henderson and James Garner got a chance to show out in the pivot while Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Noni Madueke, and Dominic Solanke made up the attack.

England Recent Form & Tactics

Tuchel sets up in a very rigid 4-2-3-1 that uses short passing and defensive solidity to take the air out of games. The Three Lions rarely let in goals under him but they don’t tend to blow teams away either, his focus is more on having the ball so the opponent can’t create chances. His side have regularly averaged over 60% possession with shot volume being lower but high quality chances being put away.

Under their current manager, England have been almost unstoppable. A draw in their latest outting required a last minute penalty and heavy rotation from the coach. They went a perfect 100% in their qualification group for the World Cup and didn’t let in a single goal in that run. They have a massive head of steam going into this summer’s tournament, a good team performance against an entertaining Japanese side would be the clincher.

England Team News

Eight players have withdrawn from the squad ahead of this one, with most returning to their clubs for assessment or for rest. Aaron Ramsdale, Tomori, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Stones, Wharton, Madueke, Rice, and Bukayo Saka have all left the camp, some likely weren’t going to play much while others are managing their fitness with their team’s competing on multiple fronts.