INGHILTERRA – IRAN | Monday 2pm
Declan Rice, midfielder for West Ham and the Three Lions national team, is not at all superstitious. A few days ago, before departing for Qatar, he admitted that he even brought an empty suitcase with him. Which, it seems, should serve to bring back to England that coveted World Cup that his Majesty’s subjects have been anxiously awaiting since 1966, when they first and only climbed onto the roof of the planet. Evidently the unfortunate refrain of the now famous ‘football is coming home’, sung at the top of their lungs a year and a half ago for the entire duration of Euro 2022, until the Wembley final against Italy, lost on penalties, did not serve as a lesson for them.
The selection of Gareth Southgate, confirmed on the bench after the flop in the last Nations League – England were resoundingly relegated to League B, not even winning a match in the group stage – in this World Cup will aim to erase that terrible disappointment, maximising the progress made in the last four years. Overall, they seem to have the maturity to aim for the cup, but recent results have been less than satisfactory. Kane and his teammates have not played any friendlies and their last success dates back to last March, in the test match against Ivory Coast. So, the pressure, both on the coach and the hard core of the team, will be a lot.
In any case, we think that Group B can easily win it. Besides Wales and the United States, there is also Iran, with whom England will make their debut at the Khalifa International Stadium. Led by Portuguese Carlos Queiroz, Team Melli will have to overcome themselves to avoid finishing in last place. Especially interesting is the clash with the USA, the country’s historic political enemy, which is nevertheless in a state of turmoil after protests against the regime. One victory (Nicaragua) and one defeat (Tunisia) in the most recent friendlies
England-Iran: the latest line-up news
Iranian Taremi
In England they wonder whether Southgate will play with a three or four-man defence. It is likely, according to the latest rumours, that he will choose the second option, with Trippier replacing the injured Walker in the right-back role. Bellingham, not Phillips, will play alongside Rice in midfield, while Sterling, Mount and Foden should play in the back three behind the untouchable Kane, with Saka ready to come on as the game progresses.
It will be 4-3-3 instead for Queiroz. Iran are especially intriguing in attack, where the Portuguese coach has the excellent Porto centre-forward Taremi and Bayer Leverkusen’s Azmoun at his disposal. However, the Aspirin player is likely to be sidelined due to a calf problem: Feyenoord’s Jahanbakhsh and Amiri will play in the trident.
The Prediction
England want to get off on the right foot and turn things around immediately after their poor performances, especially defensively, in the Nations League. Victory against Iran is very likely, although the English might struggle to break through the well-organised defence of Queiroz’s men. It cannot be ruled out that the total number of goals in the first half will be less than two.
England v Iran squad line-ups
- INGHILTERRA (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Bellingham; Sterling, Mount, Foden; Kane.
- IRAN (4-3-3): Beiranvand; Moharrami, Pouraliganji, Hosseini, Mohammedi; Nourollahi, Ezatolahi, Hajsafi; Jahanbakhsh, Taremi, Amiri.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-0
