With Gareth Southgate having to name his 26-man World Cup 2022 squad for Qatar on Thursday, there are a number of selection issues still in doubt.
England, who can currently be backed at 17/2 with Unibet to win World Cup 2022, had a disastrous Nations League campaign that left plenty of question marks over a number of players.
Now though, with decision day looming, injuries and club form have only added to Southgate’s selection difficulties.
:quality(70)/res.cloudinary.com/xlmedia-alpha/image/upload/v1669247188/Salesforce_Logos/Unibet_Sports/Unibet_Sports_Logo_2022-11-23T23-46-23.png){kind=logo}
2022 World Cup - Outright Winner
The Three Lions can be backed at a top price of 17/2 with Unibet
At 17/2 a £10 bet would return £95
2022 World Cup
November 20, 2022
4:00 pm GMT
Who will get a seat on the plane to Qatar?
England have probably never had the depth of quality in the full-back positions that they have today, but injuries to Reece James, Kyle Walker and Ben Chilwell and the poor form of Trent Alexander-Arnold has left Southgate with some tough choices to make.
As it stands, it would appear that James is a major doubt, Walker has indicated that he is “confident” of being fit if selected and Chilwell has already been ruled out.
Current form and versatility would appear to make Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier a certainty for a seat on the plane to Qatar, while Ben White’s ability to play at right-back could see him get the nod too.
One of England’s star performers at Euro 2020 was Kalvin Phillips, but his summer move from Leeds United to Manchester City hasn’t gone as smoothly as he would have hoped.
It was never going to be easy for Phillips to secure a regular starting position at the Etihad Stadium, but having not featured since suffering a dislocated shoulder in September would make taking him to Qatar a major gamble.
Another player who shone at Euro 2022, but has struggled since a big summer transfer is Raheem Sterling. Southgate is highly unlikely to discard a player who has served him so well, but Sterling is no shoo-in for the starting XI now.
Jadon Sancho is another whose form has deserted him in recent weeks. In his case, it might cost him his place in the squad, particularly with clubmate Marcus Rashford displaying greater consistency.
James Maddison has been instrumental in Leicester City’s recent revival, but he’s never been a regular pick for Southgate. England could certainly use a player like Maddison to unlock defences, so his inclusion would make sense.
England are best priced at just 4/9 with SpreadEx to win Group B, but the draw has presented them with three awkward looking games against Iran, USA and Wales.
The Three Lions seem more reliant on captain Harry Kane than ever, with no out-and-out striker having made a convincing case as his understudy.
As things stand, Tammy Abraham, Ivan Toney and Callum Wilson are names in the frame as back-ups for Kane in Qatar. With all due respect, most England fans will be hoping that none of those strikers is required to start a game due to Kane being unavailable.
2022 World Cup - Top Goalscorer
England's Harry Kane is one of the market leaders at 8/1
At 8/1 a £10 bet would return £90
2022 World Cup
November 20, 2022
4:00 pm GMT
* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
:quality(70)/res.cloudinary.com/xlmedia-alpha/image/upload/v1669247188/Salesforce_Logos/Unibet_Sports/Unibet_Sports_Logo_2022-11-23T23-46-23.png){kind=logo}
Money Back as bonus up to £40 if your first bet loses + £10 Casino Bonus
18+ begambleaware.org. New customers only. Min deposit £10. Money back as bonus if first sports bet loses. Wagering requirements: sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), casino 50x. Unless forfeited the sportsbook bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Bonus expires 7 days after opt-in. Visit Unibet.co.uk for full T&C's.
