Who will start for England at the World Cup? We take a look at what the odds suggest

by Andy Schooler

Victory for England over Slovenia on Thursday night - or in Lithuania on Sunday - will see them book their ticket to the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.

But who will be lining up for them next June in their opening match?

A look at the odds will give you a good idea and with Sky Bet having now priced up a ‘starting XI’ market, the following team is regarded as the most likely outcome:

Goalkeeper

Joe Hart (5/4) – Despite regular criticism of his performances in an England shirt, Hart remains boss Gareth Southgate’s man – at least for now. He’s one of only two players to have started nine of Southgate’s 10 games in charge, including every qualifier. However, of all those in the ‘odds XI’ he’s regarded as the least likely to start. The bookies clearly feel his place is under threat over the coming months.

If not him, who?

Stoke’s Jack Butland is second favourite at 13/8 with Jordan Pickford at 11/4. The new Everton signing has made a decent-enough start to life at Goodison but isn’t being helped playing behind a sieve-like defence right now. It could, however, give him a chance to shine and he looks the value bet here.

Defence

Kyle Walker (1/6) – Fit again and flying down the right for Manchester City, Walker looks likely to start for England in the right-back role. He’s started every qualifier under the current boss.

Danny Rose (1/4) – Has not played for England for 11 months and still isn’t fit at Spurs where he has annoyed his employers with talk of wage demands. Far from guaranteed an immediate return to his club side if they continue to go well, so looks opposable at the price.

Gary Cahill (1/8) – The other player to have started nine of the 10 Southgate-era matches for England. Surely starts the World Cup, barring injury.

John Stones (4/5) – Started regularly in the early part of Southgate’s reign but has failed to do so in the last three qualifiers. As the odds suggest, his place looks vulnerable.

If not them, who?

Phil Jones is banging the door down having become a starter at a soaring Manchester United this season. At 6/5, he looks the man most likely to grab Stones’ shirt. However, it is Rose’s left-back slot where the betting value could lie with Ryan Bertrand very much in possession of the position. He’s assured of first-team football at Southampton and is clearly trusted by Southgate, who has started him in England’s last six games. At 3/1, he could well be worth an interest.

Midfield

Eric Dier (1/10) – The midfield area looks largely sorted, certainly judged on the heavy odds-on prices of which Dier is one. After starting at Euro 2016, has continued to hold down a role under Southgate. Has started eight matches but for anyone thinking he’s nailed on, take a look at the games he’s missed – Malta home and away. Should England face their weakest group opponent first, is there a chance Southgate will ditch two holding midfielders and go more attacking?

Jordan Henderson (1/8) – The same proviso applies to anyone backing Henderson and another factor you also have to take into account with the some-times captain is his poor injury record. Almost certain to start if he is fit, however. Is also 5/4 to captain the team in their opener.

Dele Alli (1/10) – Alli will miss England’s game with Slovenia on Thursday due to suspension. It’s probably fair to say he’s start to the season hasn’t matched last term’s high standards but it still seems he’ll have to be banned or injured not to start in Russia.

If not them, who?

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has started four of the last five England games but is out at 11/4 in the betting to do so in the World Cup opener. It is, however, open to debate whether his move to Liverpool is likely to see him get more game-time in the Premier League.

Forwards

Adam Lallana (4/9) – Given the way Southgate’s teams have been set up, we’re expecting him to play two wide players either side of a central striker at the World Cup and the odds suggest Lallana – one of England’s better players at Euro 2016 - will be asked to play on the left. He started five games in a row for England last season but has been injured so far this. Will need to get back in Liverpool’s XI before reclaiming his England spot.

Marcus Rashford (1/4) – Widely regarded as England’s biggest emerging talent but he’s only started two games under Southgate so far. That said, one of those was the last match against Slovakia when he grabbed the winning goal. With so much media hype surround the Manchester United teenager, it will be hard for the manager to leave him out.

Harry Kane (1/10) – Stunning so far this season; England will only hope he’s enjoying such a purple patch come the end of the domestic campaign. Has now seen off the threat of Wayne Rooney and Jamie Vardy for the number nine shirt and has started the last four England games. The World Cup could be his chance to really move to the next level. Is also odds-on at 8/11 to captain England in their first match.

If not them, who?

Raheem Sterling is the only player odds-on in the market who has not managed to make it into the ‘odds XI’ – he’s a 4/6 chance with presumably Lallana most under threat from the Manchester City man, who has started five and come on as sub in two of England’s last eight matches. He could also arguably fill Alli’s role.

However, there is some clear value to be had in the shape of Danny Welbeck, who is a massive 10/1 to start. The Arsenal man hasn’t been everyone’s cup of tea but importantly in terms of this market, he’s proved a popular selection for England managers. It should be remembered he scored six times in England’s first five Euro 2016 qualifiers and looked certain to be picked in the squad for the finals until injury struck. He’s very much in Southgate’s thoughts having come on as sub in both qualifiers last month, scoring against Malta. Could challenge Rashford for a spot on the right of the attack and with arguably a better defensive side to his game, could well be preferred if England play a big gun such as Brazil or Spain first up, leaving Rashford to be an impact sub.

Click here to look at the entire England World Cup starting XI market and place your bets