Gareth Southgate makes five changes to the side that defeated Italy last time out. John Stones, Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell make way for Rico Lewis, Ezri Konsa and Cole Palmer who hope to impress.
England have established a substantial lead against Group C minnow Malta after winning all five previous meetings between them and should capture their first win of this campaign.
In this article, we will discuss the main points of England National Football Team vs Malta National Football Team Lineups.
England National Football Team
No. | Player | Position |
---|---|---|
1 | Jordan Pickford | Goalkeeper |
2 | Kieran Trippier | Right-back |
5 | Marc Guéhi | Center-back |
6 | Harry Maguire | Center-back |
3 | Fikayo Tomori | Left-back |
10 | Trent Alexander-Arnold | Right-wing |
8 | Jordan Henderson | Midfielder |
7 | Phil Foden | Attacking midfielder |
18 | Jack Grealish | Left-wing |
21 | Cole Palmer | Attacking midfielder |
9 | Harry Kane (C) | Forward |
Malta National Football Team
No. | Player | Position |
---|---|---|
1 | Henry Bonello | Goalkeeper |
2 | Cain Attard | Right-back |
3 | Ryan Camenzuli | Center-back |
4 | Steve Borg | Center-back |
6 | Matthew Guillaumier | Midfielder |
7 | Joseph Mbong | Right-wing |
10 | Teddy Teuma | Midfielder |
13 | Enrico Pepe | Center-back |
14 | Kemar Reid | Left-wing |
20 | Yannick Yankam | Forward |
21 | Jean Borg | Forward |
Please note that player positions and roles are based on the starting lineup for this specific match. Substitutions and tactical changes may have occurred during the game.
England XI: Pickford
An uneventful first half saw England struggle to penetrate Malta’s tight defence. Only after half time did England make headway as Kyle Walker and Bukayo Saka came on for Fikayo Tomori and Conor Gallagher respectively, to make inroads.
England substitutes were lively in the final third, yet England failed to create any real chances. Luke Shaw sent in an attempted cross that nearly found its mark – Harry Kane almost got on board but Zach Muscat held onto it safely.
Gareth Southgate will look to inject new life and freshness into his side ahead of next week’s trip to North Macedonia, offering fringe players such as Aaron Ramsdale, Rico Lewis, Ezri Konsa or Levi Colwill a chance to show their skills.
Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze has traveled to St George’s Park in hopes of making his senior debut and given Southgate’s likely plan of keeping some key players back, this could come tonight. Marc Guehi earned his fourth cap this week while Kemar Reid is expected to debut after becoming a naturalized citizen of Malta.
Trippier
With a win against Malta, England could claim top two finish in Euro 2024 qualifying Group C and secure their place in Pot 1. That will provide Southgate’s side with plenty of motivation ahead of Wembley clash with minnows Malta.
Gareth Southgate will be without Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw due to injury, so Trent Alexander-Arnold starts on the right side alongside Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier on his right flank. Harry Maguire keeps his spot as centre back with Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace joining them.
West Ham’s James Ward-Prowse and Manchester City’s Jordan Henderson drop out, replaced by Lewis Dunk and Levi Colwill. Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon and West Brom’s James Morrison receive first call-ups; joining Morgan Rogers, Jarrod Bowen and Tino Livramento who all join fellow uncapped players Morgan Rogers, Jarrod Bowen and Tino Livramento amongst others. Jack Grealish and Declan Rice return, with Declan Rice starting left-back in what marks his first appearance since World Cup 2016.
Maguire
Gareth Southgate has reined in his partying squad as they return to business ahead of their final Euro 2024 qualifying match before the coronavirus pandemic puts international football on hold. Unfortunately, Southgate was forced to drop Manchester City pair John Stones and Raheem Sterling; Callum Wilson returned, as did Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool right back and Marcus Rashford of Newcastle striker status.
England’s initial opportunity stems from a free-kick on the left flank, taken by Kieran Trippier and finding James Maddison in space – however his low effort is blocked by Matthew Guillaumier.
Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson are establishing an effective midfield trio; Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford continue to pose threats from both ends. Southgate still has plenty of defensive options at his disposal after losing Maguire; Marc Guehi, Jordan Foden and Fikayo Tomori can step in if needed in defence; Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell complete the four man backline while Chelsea centre-back Levi Colwill and Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah have also been included, while Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer who have also made recent contributions have gone unnoticed.
Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold has made headlines this season at Liverpool for his remarkable rise, earning himself recognition as England’s future captain. Under Jurgen Klopp he established himself as a regular starter while also contributing significantly for Gareth Southgate’s first team; helping the Young Lions reach last year’s World Cup final while also featuring prominently for Manchester United 21s.
England took some time to break down Malta’s stubborn defense, with no clear-cut chances created in the opening stages. Finally in the 74th minute it clicked for England with Kyle Walker, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka involved in a superb move that saw Harry Kane score on only their second attempt on goal – making for an exciting end result!
Gareth Southgate has made changes for this matchup by resting Kieran Trippier and Harry Maguire against minnows, with Rico Lewis coming into left back alongside Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace to fill that role at left back alongside Rico Lewis from Manchester City stepping in at left back alongside Jack Grealdi (now playing more advanced midfield role ). Everton Phil Foden joins him.
Henderson
Gareth Southgate will make five changes from his team that beat Italy, dropping Jack Grealish, John Stones, Kyle Walker, Marcus Rashford and Declan Rice from his starting eleven. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier of Liverpool should join Jordan Henderson and Conor Gallagher as midfielders while Phil Foden, Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford will start up front.
The visitors are trying to assert themselves, yet their passes into the final third lack any real bite as they attempt to work the ball over the top. James Maddison attempts to send one across towards Harry Kane but it misses by some distance.
Darren Fletcher comes on for the injured Gary Cahill and England are able to maintain possession more effectively. Luke Shaw is joined on the left wing by Marcus Rashford of Manchester United but cannot make enough contact with Marcus Rashford’s cross for it to result in a goal for Manchester City.
Foden
Gareth Southgate awarded Foden his senior England call-up following an impressive run at Manchester City and England under-21 level, and has become one of the country’s best creative players since. Foden made his senior bow against Italy at Euro 2020. He quickly become one of the leading attackers from left of attack proving a reliable left wing option that could prove his worth as one of England’s finest creative players.
At just 19, youngster Callum Young has already amassed over 30 caps and scored two goals for England. His performances helped secure their victory over Iceland and Denmark in UEFA Nations League play, earning them him admiration from fans around the country.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will replace Foden at half time with Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice as midfielders, hoping that Trent can form effective partnerships. Unfortunately both Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford suffered injuries, leaving space for Jarrod Bowen and Esri Konsa to earn their maiden England caps – they all formed part of the 2024 Olympic football team and all needing to demonstrate they can perform in big games for England.
Kane
England have won 12 straight home matches during November, including three victories against Malta. England are comfortably ahead in Group C with North Macedonia three points back.
Gareth Southgate’s side started slowly but quickly took the lead after eight minutes through a Teddy Teuma own goal. They attempted to build on this in the second half but struggled against Malta’s stubborn defense.
Kemar Reid and Paul Mbong came close for Malta, who are searching for an equaliser late on in the game, but possession football hindered their efforts as their hosts rolled to an easy win.
Jordan Pickford and co are expected to limit Malta’s threat, though Gareth Southgate is without Jude Bellingham, Lewis Dunk, James Maddison and Stones for this matchup. Cole Palmer could make his England debut while Eberechi Eze is another player worth keeping an eye out for. England are likely to win comfortably but may not perform at their best in their final group match against North Macedonia.
Rashford
England initially struggled to break through Malta’s tight defence early, until Kieran Trippier found space on the left to send in a cross that Marcus Rashford headed in for England’s opening goal. Rashford was replaced with Kyle Walker and Bukayo Saka at half-time as Gareth Southgate introduced new legs into attack to add speed to their play.
Rashford’s absence was somewhat surprising but England manager Gareth Southgate explained his reasoning as being due to other players having stronger seasons than him within the squad. Furthermore, Rashford was unavailable due to an injury which required treatment at club level before Jose Mourinho advised against risking it by playing him anyway.
Although absent due to injury, despite his absence the teenager will return in the starting XI against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Newcastle on June 3 and Iceland at Wembley four days later. Phil Foden and Cole Palmer may challenge him for wide attacking positions – provided their injuries don’t prove too serious. Gareth Southgate has made some intriguing choices at center back, including Marc Guehi making his eighth national team appearance after an impressive season at Crystal Palace.