Writer, analyst, podcaster, Spurs fan. Three out of four is not bad. If there is a data angle, I will find it.
Gareth Southgate Decisions
Euro 2020 star Kalvin Phillips or up-and-coming Jude Bellingham?
Manchester United's Harry Maguire or Arsenal's Ben White?
Is Jack Grealish good enough defensively to start against Iran?
England Manager Gareth Southgate
England Opening Match.
Hopes are high that England can win the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the three lions are currently priced between 5/1 and 7/1 with the best betting sites.
Ahead of Gareth Southgate's side in the World Cup betting market are Brazil and France.
The manager has some tough choices to make both with the makeup of his World Cup squad + which players he starts in the opening game, which is scheduled for the 21st of November against Iran.
The bookmakers have created a market on which players will make the opening 11, the odds favour the following players.
Now of course poor form or injury can affect players inclusion, the key to finding a value player bet is really which players from which teams are going to step up and catch the manager's eye.
| Favourite 11 For Opening Game |
|---|
| Jordan Pickford |
| John Stones |
| Harry Maguire |
| Luke Shaw |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold |
| Declan Rice |
| Mason Mount |
| Jude Bellingham |
| Harry Kane |
| Phil Foden |
| Raheem Sterling |
England Goalkeeper To Start In The Opening Match
| Goalkeepers | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jordan Pickford | 1.57 |
| Aaron Ramsdale | 2.88 |
| Nick Pope | 6 |
| Sam Johnstone | 17 |
| Dean Henderson | 21 |
- Jordan Pickford is in pole position and seems to be trusted by the manager.
- Burnley have had a poor season but without Nick Pope, it may well have been worse.
- Aaron Ramsdale is the wild card, after being relegated with Sheffield United he has bounced back with a string of memorable saves for his new club Arsenal.
England Defenders To Start In The Opening Match
| Defenders | Odds |
|---|---|
| John Stones | 1.3 |
| Harry Maguire | 1.44 |
| Luke Shaw | 1.8 |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | 2 |
| Reece James | 2.25 |
| Ben White | 3.25 |
| Kyle Walker | 3.5 |
| Ben Chilwell | 3.75 |
| Tyrick Mitchell | 8 |
| Kieran Trippier | 8.5 |
| Tyrone Mings | 11 |
| Marc Guehi | 13 |
| Conor Coady | 13 |
| Fikayo Tomori | 15 |
| Dan Burn | 17 |
| Eric Dier | 21 |
| Ben Godfrey | 34 |
| Rob Holding | 34 |
| Joe Gomez | 34 |
| Tino Livramento | 34 |
| Tariq Lamptey | 34 |
| Matt Targett | 41 |
| Max Aarons | 41 |
| Ezri Konsa | 41 |
| Adam Webster | 41 |
| Aaron Wan-Bissaka | 51 |
| Michael Keane | 51 |
| Aaron Cresswell | 101 |
| James Tarkowski | 101 |
| Craig Dawson | 101 |
| Phil Jones | 101 |
- The form of Harry Maguire could be a consideration for Gareth Southgate, he supported him when sections of the Wembley crowd booed the 29-year-old Manchester United defender.
- The replacement for Maguire would be Ben White or Tyrone Mings but they are not as experienced at the top level.
- The fullbacks starting the 1st game are likely to be Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luke Shaw if we are to believe the odds on offer.
England Midfielders To Start In The Opening Match
| Midfielders | Odds |
|---|---|
| Declan Rice | 1.3 |
| Mason Mount | 1.57 |
| Jude Bellingham | 2.1 |
| Kalvin Phillips | 2.2 |
| Emile Smith Rowe | 5 |
| Conor Gallagher | 6 |
| James Ward-Prowse | 15 |
| Jesse Lingard | 17 |
| Harvey Elliott | 21 |
| James Maddison | 26 |
| Curtis Jones | 26 |
| Oliver Skipp | 26 |
| Joe Willock | 34 |
| Harry Winks | 41 |
| Dwight McNeil | 41 |
| Dele Alli | 51 |
| Nathaniel Chalobah | 81 |
| Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain | 81 |
- A choice between Kalvin Phillips who did so well at Euro 2022 and Jude Bellingham whose star has risen with some impressive displays for England.
- Rice and Mount are both odds on to start the game against Iran.
England Attackers To Start The Opening Match
| Forwards | Odds |
|---|---|
| Harry Kane | 1.22 |
| Phil Foden | 1.73 |
| Raheem Sterling | 1.8 |
| Jack Grealish | 2.5 |
| Bukayo Saka | 3.25 |
| Jadon Sancho | 7.5 |
| Jarrod Bowen | 7.5 |
| Marcus Rashford | 10 |
| Ollie Watkins | 13 |
| Tammy Abraham | 21 |
| Callum Hudson-Odoi | 21 |
| Dominic Calvert-Lewin | 21 |
| Harvey Barnes | 26 |
| Patrick Bamford | 34 |
| Danny Ings | 51 |
- Harry Kane looks likely to be supported by Foden and Sterling,
- If changes are needed if we struggle against Iran Grealish and Saka would dovetail perfectly.
