This article is part of the Guardian’s 2018 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 32 countries who have qualified for Russia. theguardian.com is running previews from two countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 14 June. Gareth Southgate committed to a three-man defence back in the autumn, tweaking the 4-2-3-1 system which had been successfully employed through a comfortable qualification campaign. The manager is now convinced a variation of 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 is the best way to eke performances and possession from a youthful group. At first glance it appeared a risky tactic given England are not blessed with top quality centre-halves. Yet the decision in March to employ Kyle Walker as the right sided central defender in the back-line, with Kieran Trippier coming in at wing-back, looks inspired. The Manchester City defender tucks in off the flank with his club, and injects pace and forward intent to the national team’s rearguard that will surely have the ball-playing John Stones at its heart, and the hugely promising Harry Maguire, Gary Cahill or Eric Dier on the left. It also allows England to exploit their principal assets: their wing-back options, whether Walker and Trippier on one side, or Danny Rose on the opposite flank. Dier could, of course, feature in defensive midfield and there may be times at the tournament when Southgate feels the need to employ two holding players to shield those at the back. Yet, when England need to be more progressive (against Panama and Tunisia in the group, for example), the 3-5-2 should see two forward thinking No 8s – plucked from Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard or Ruben Loftus-Cheek, for example – and either Dier or, more likely, Jordan Henderson as the central pivot. Given the lack of a natural playmaker, a No 10 who can create from the centre, packing midfield with energy and, in Loftus-Cheek’s case, a blend of skill and power seems a sensible alternative. “I think the system gives us good stability and it gives us easier solutions for our midfield players as well,” said Southgate. “Then there is a possibility to switch with what we play in front of it: maybe get two strikers in for certain games, or two midfielders off a forward, or three in midfield and two forwards.” He certainly has options. If Harry Kane leads the line, he can be supported either by the elusive Raheem Sterling, the promising Marcus Rashford, the party’s leading scorer Danny Welbeck, an out-and-out strike partner in Jamie Vardy, or a pair of attacking midfielders or wingers. Either way, Sterling already feels key to the system. The City player has just enjoyed his most productive club season yet, and brought that form to the England set-up in March. “That was good to see because, if we play 3-4-3, we know Raheem can play the No 10 role as he did against France last year,” said Southgate. “But could he play as one of two forwards when he usually plays on the wing for Manchester City? “We know he likes playing through the middle and his performance reminded me of that little spell at Liverpool where he was behind Luis Suárez and Daniel Sturridge, running and dribbling through the middle of the park,” Southgate continued. Sterling has yet to illuminate a major finals and so much depends upon whether he is confident and content when the campaign begins in Volgograd. Probable starting XI England probable starting XI Which player is going to surprise everyone at the World Cup? Ruben Loftus-Cheek goes to the tournament in the best form of his fledgling career. The Chelsea loanee is powerfully built, skilful in possession and deceptively quick across the turf. He thrived on international debut against Brazil in November and has long been championed by Southgate. Which player is likely to disappoint? Harry Kane will be convinced he can claim the tournament’s Golden Boot and, having struggled to make an impact at Euro 2016, will be anxious to make his mark. Yet the ankle injury he sustained in mid-March did blunt his form in Spurs’ jittery run-in. He has appeared rusty in the period since. Will he hit the ground running in Russia? What is the realistic aim for England at the World Cup and why? Passage into the quarter-finals is conceivable and the squad boasts the talent to achieve that goal. It would be welcome after the trauma of Brazil 2014, when England stumbled in their group and effectively exited the tournament six days into their campaign. Anything beyond the last eight is improbable, particularly given the calibre of opponent they would meet at that stage. Dominic Fifield writes for the Guardian. Follow him on Twitter here.<doc-sep>The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Need the latest Foxes transfer news? Get FREE email alerts for Leicester City FC Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up! Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice England's starting XI for their World Cup opener against Tunisia has been revealed - and there is no place for Leicester City's Jamie Vardy. The Sun claim to have gotten hold of Gareth Southgate's starting XI for the Three Lions' tournament opener, against Tunisia on Monday week. There's no place for Foxes striker Vardy, with Southgate set to name Harry Kane up front with Raheem Stering operating in the number 10 role behind him. Vardy laboured in Thursday night's final warm-up game, a 2-0 defeat of Costa Rica at Elland Road , receiving little service with strike partner Marcus Rashford impressing. (Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images) There is a role for Harry Maguire, though, with Vardy's club team-mate set to play on the left of a back-three, as he did to good effect on Thursday evening. England are yet to concede with Maguire on the pitch and it looks like he will be partnering Kyle Walker and John Stones in Russia.<doc-sep>MARCUS RASHFORD will NOT start England’s World Cup opener despite his wonder goal against Costa Rica on Thursday. And Jordan Henderson has beaten Eric Dier to play in England’s anchor role against Tunisia a week on Monday. 4 This is the XI that will face Tunisia in England's World Cup opener Credit: Sun Danny Rose is likely to start at wing-back ahead of Ashley Young. Manchester United forward Rashford was man of the match in England’s 2-0 victory over Costa Rica in their final warm-up match at Elland Road. But SunSport can reveal the team Gareth Southgate is planning to field — with Raheem Sterling in the No 10 role behind captain Harry Kane. Henderson, who is effectively vice-captain, was always ahead of Tottenham man Dier after Southgate decided to play with just one holding player in front of his back three. SunSport asks England fans’ opinion on who should play in defence at the World Cup? Dream Team World Cup - Sign up to win £100k Enter for FREE £50m budget and 20 transfers throughout the tournament and throughout the tournament Play to win £100k top price and a share of £175k prizepot SIGN UP FOR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP NOW 4 Marcus Rashford will NOT be starting the opening game in Russia, despite starring against Costa Rica Credit: Getty Rose is the one player who seems to have forced his way into the starting line-up during the last two warm-up games. Boss Southgate described Rose’s midweek performance as his best display since the Spurs star suffered a serious knee injury 16 months ago. Rose’s relative lack of game time had put him behind Young in the pecking order. But now he is returning to form and fitness, Southgate believes Rose’s qualities best suit his demand for buccaneering wing-backs who can provide the team’s width. Road to Russia QUALIFYING RESULTS 04/09/16 Slovakia A 1-0 08/10/16 Malta H 2-0 11/10/16 Slovenia A 0-0 11/11/16 Scotland H 3-0 26/03/17 Lithuania H 2-0 10/06/17 Scotland A 2-2 01/09/17 Malta A 4-0 04/09/17 Slovakia H 2-1 05/10/17 Slovenia H 1-0 08/10/17 Lithuania A 1-0 TOP SCORERS 5 Harry Kane 2 Adam Lallana 2 Daniel Sturridge MOST APPEARANCES 9 Joe Hart 9 Kyle Walker 8 Gary Cahill 4 Jordan Henderson has beaten Eric Dier to be the team's anchorman Credit: Getty Harry Maguire cemented his place in Southgate’s back three with his assured showing against Costa Rica and is set to edge out the more experienced Gary Cahill and Phil Jones. The Three Lions chief sees Rashford and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, as game-changers off the bench. And he is heartened by the way his demands to concede fewer free-kicks in their own half has been heeded. In six friendlies, England have let in only one goal from open play. The best World Cup shopping channel arrives for England fans 4 Ruben Loftus-Cheek is viewed, along with Rashford, as the top impact sub Credit: Reuters<doc-sep>
ENGLAND’S starting XI for their World Cup opener against Tunisia has been revealed. The Sun Sport reports that Marcus Rashford will not start in England’s World Cup opener despite his wonder goal against Costa Rica in their recent friendly. And Jordan Henderson has beaten Eric Dier to play in England’s anchor role against Tunisia a week on Monday. Manchester United forward Rashford was the man of the match in England’s 2-0 victory over Costa Rica in their final warm-up match at Elland Road. Jesse Lingard, Kyle Walker and Harry Kane of England. Source: Getty Images Raheem Sterling is reportedly expected to play in the No. 10 role behind captain Harry Kane. Henderson, who is effectively vice-captain, was always ahead of Tottenham colleague Dier after Southgate decided to play with just one holding player in front of his back three. Rose is the one player who seems to have forced his way into the starting line-up during the last two warm-up games, preferred over Manchester United’s Ashley Young. Boss Southgate described Rose’s midweek performance as his best display since the Spurs star suffered a serious knee injury 16 months ago. Raheem Sterling during an England training session. Source: AFP But now he is returning to form and fitness, Southgate believes Rose’s qualities best suit his demand for buccaneering wing-backs who can provide the team’s width. Harry Maguire cemented his place in Southgate’s back three with his assured showing against Costa Rica and is set to edge out the more experienced Gary Cahill and Phil Jones. The Three Lions chief sees Rashford and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, as game-changers off the bench. And he is heartened by the way his demands to concede fewer free-kicks in their own half has been heeded. In six friendlies, England have let in only one goal from open play. This article originally appeared in The Sun.