Gareth Southgate will have much at stake with this matchup, yet his squad is full of quality. Sam Johnstone may start in goal after making a positive debut for Palace; Levi Colwill could join Lewis Dunk and Fikayo Tomori as part of their defensive lineup.
Match Preview
Gareth Southgate will get an opportunity to experiment with some fresh faces when England take on Australia in their first home friendly since qualifying for Euro 2024 against Scotland last month. Bukayo Saka’s injury has given Levi Colwill his debut while other players such as Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold may get opportunities.
At Wembley Stadium, England kicks off strong with Kieran Trippier moving the ball to right winger Jack Grealish before whipping in an excellent cross from him. Unfortunately for both teams though, an attritional first half ensues, where both teams prefer sitting back and keeping possession.
At halftime, England made four changes with Marcus Rashford, John Stones, and Kalvin Phillips replacing Jordan Henderson, Fikayo Tomori, Levi Colwill. Australia also made two alterations, with Jackson Irvine from Grasshoppers replacing Jarrod Bowen on Hibernians Lewis Miller coming on for Jarrod Bowen on Grasshoppers replacing James Maddison on Hibernians. It’s back! After England defeated Brazil in the inaugural game of this soccer Ashes series; both teams meet again with a chance at making finals qualification!
England potential Line-up
England National Football Team Vs Australia National Football Team Lineups face off once more since Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions triumphed 2-1 against them back in 2016. Marcus Rashford hopes to add to his impressive record against Australia, having scored on his international debut against them as an 18-year-old back then.
Sam Johnstone should keep the goalkeeping spot behind Jordan Pickford, with Aaron Ramsdale possibly also getting game time. Trent Alexander-Arnold will likely attempt to establish himself as a regular right-back while Lewis Dunk should remain at centre-half for Liverpool.
James Maddison of Tottenham will likely line up alongside Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and John Stones as part of a three-man defence in Sunday’s friendly against Colombia. Meanwhile, Levi Colwill could make his senior international debut at left back – with Kieran Trippier or John Stones also potential candidates to fill this position.
Next week’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy could see England experiment with different lineups for Ollie Watkins as they lead their line, and Jack Grealish could provide support on attack.
Australia potential Line-up
Gareth Southgate will look to test out several new players when England take on Australia at Wembley Stadium. Ollie Watkins may come in to replace Harry Kane up front while Lewis Dunk should start at centre-back alongside Marc Guehi and Fikayo Tomori who should both fill out their respective back three spots.
Levi Colwill could make his England debut, with Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell both currently injured. The Chelsea full-back can play left back or play as an attacking full-back with ease, covering great ground with each pass of the ball.
Australia defied expectations to reach the last-16 at the World Cup and will provide England with a formidable challenge. Mat Ryan of AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands will likely captain this tenacious side while Ipswich Town midfielder Massimo Luongo could feature. Their most dangerous threat comes through their physicality; Harry Souttar (198cm/6ft 6inches). is sure to prove himself a forceful presence both aerially and on the ball.
Prediction
Due to the absence of Bukayo Saka and Luke Shaw, Gareth Southgate may opt to hand Levi Colwill or Kieran Trippier their first full-back debuts. Jude Bellingham should operate as the most advanced midfield player if selected while James Maddison may feature down the left flank and Phil Foden could fill one of the wide positions.
England are in complete control of this game and look poised for an emphatic 2-0 victory, although Australia are unlikely to make much impactful contributions here.
Jarrod Bowen and Conor Gallagher combine well on the right to set Conor Gallagher into the box, but his shot is blocked. Ollie Watkins then has a great opportunity to put England ahead, but can’t quite get his foot onto the ball to shoot as the goalkeeper dives at his feet to collect safely; this may have been Watkins’ final chance before Eddie Nketiah comes on to replace him.
Team news
Gareth Southgate can use Friday’s match at Wembley as an opportunity to give his fringe players some game time before Italy come calling four days later in Euro 2024 qualifying matchup.
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Tom Glover was named in the squad despite suffering from a foot injury, while Jordan Henderson (Al Ettifaq), Levi Colwill (Chelsea) and Eddie Nketiah have earned first senior call-ups. Standard Liege midfielder Aiden O’Neill will also feature after being added late, and Hibernian midfielders Lewis Miller and Alessandro Circati from Parma can expect to play central midfield roles respectively.
Luke Shaw, Lewis Dunk and Harry Maguire will likely retain their starting spots. Southgate could use Arsenal midfielder Bukayo Saka in a defensive midfield role alongside Jude Bellingham and Conor Gallagher. Up front Jarrod Bowen hopes to continue his impressive season for West Ham while James Maddison and Ollie Watkins could begin in attack as well.
