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The latest England team news, injury update and predicted XI ahead of their Nations League clash with Czechia
England will look to round off a largely successful opening set of 2026/27 UEFA Nations League fixtures with a win this evening, when they take on Czechia at Wembley Stadium. Thomas Tuchel’s side started their campaign with a narrow defeat at home to Spain, but bounced back with two wins on the road against Czechia and Croatia.
In their latest outing against Croatia, the Three Lions stormed to a fearsome 7-0 victory, with attacking talent such as Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon looking in perfect sync against an opponent who were incapable of stopping the wave after wave of clinical attacking play.
Czechia will arrive in London looking to avenge their recent 2-0 loss to Tuchel’s side, and indeed their last trip to face England at Wembley back in 2019, which ended in a 5-0 defeat as Raheem Sterling ran riot scoring a hat-trick. A win for England would put them in a strong position to finish in the top two, which would seal their place in next summer’s knockouts.
Heading into the game, Tuchel has two fresh injury problem to contend with: Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Arsenal’s Ezri Konsa have both returned to their respective clubs due to injury, with the former’s knock likely to keep him out of action for a number of weeks. In their place, Manchester City’s Rico Lewis has been drafted into the squad.
Ahead of the Three Lions’ final game of the extended international break, we’ve taken a look at the most likely XI England will deploy against Czechia as they look to end the camp on a high.
England predicted XI vs Czechia: goalkeeper and defence
Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite could start his first game for England against Czechiaplaceholder image
Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite could start his first game for England against Czechia | AFP via Getty Images
GK - Jordan Pickford: England’s number one had a relatively quiet evening against Croatia, but with the side’s notoriously shaky defence he won’t be bringing a deckchair and a stack of magazines to Wembley this evening. He’ll be looking to prove to Tuchel he deserves to keep his starting spot over James Trafford, who played against Spain and also Czechia in Prague.
RB - Trent Alexander-Arnold: Jarell Quansah was in excellent form in England’s last game and even produced an assist that Alexander-Arnold would have been pleased with. Tuchel could do with seeing more of Trent as he weighs up his value as a potential Reece James replacement, and could hand the Real Madrid gem a start here.
CB - Marc Guehi: Manchester City’s star centre-back has responded well from the dire error that saw England concede early on against Spain, keeping clean sheets against both Czechia and Croatia. The ex-Crystal Palace and Chelsea man is now an integral part of England’s back line, and will make his 41st Three Lions appearance against Czechs at Wembley.
CB - Jarrad Branthwaite: Trevoh Chalobah was given a start against Czechia, but we have a feeling Tuchel could shuffle his pack with Konsa out injured and get a good look at Branthwaite. The Everton star looks to be past the worst of the injury problems that blighted the early part of his career, and will be eager to become a regular for his country.
LB - Lewis Hall: Nico O’Reilly’s injury has been good news for the Newcastle United star, who’s been able to show Tuchel just how wrong he was not to select him for last summer’s controversial World Cup squad. Hall has excelled down the left flank, linking up with his former club teammate Gordon, and should keep his place in the side over Man City’s Lewis for Czechia.
England predicted XI vs Czechia: Midfield and attack
Raheem Sterling scored twice in England's 7-0 win over Croatiaplaceholder image
Raheem Sterling scored twice in England's 7-0 win over Croatia | Getty Images
CM - James Garner: Arsenal’s Myles-Lewis Skelly has got plenty of minutes for England during the international break, while Garner has been largely limited to cameo appearances. Tuchel could look to roll the selection dice again when it comes to midfield, and hand the Everton ace his fifth cap via a start.
CM - Elliot Anderson: The 23-year-old’s rise from the fringes of the squad to one of the first names on the teamsheet has been highly impressive, and will surely serve as inspiration to other players in a similar position. Had things gone differently, he could have ended up playing for Scotland.
AMR - Bukayo Saka: Saka ended a run of indifferent form for England with a vintage display against Croatia, and looks to be back to his best after injury and fitness problems wrecked much of his 2025/26 campaign. The 25-year-old will likely make his 60th England appearance when they take on Czechia, and will hope to add to his 19 goals scored.
AMC - Morgan Rogers: Another change could come in the number ten position, with precious commodity Jude Bellingham in need of a rest. Rogers, who joined Chelsea for a whopping £117m last summer, came off the bench to score against Croatia, and could get the nod against Czechia at Wembley.
AML - Anthony Gordon: The star of England’s Nations League campaign so far, the Barcelona summer signing has excelled down the left flank, causing opposition defenders nightmares with his direct attacking play. He thrives when there’s space to run into, but this may be limited by a Czechia side prepared to park the bus when required.
ST - Harry Kane: England’s skipper was in the goals again when England hammered Croatia, taking his Three Lions tally to 89 with a brace. He’ll start against Czechia and equal goalkeeper Peter Shilton as the England men’s team’s most capped player, with 125 appearances across a stunning international career.
England predicted XI vs Czechia: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Guehi, Branthwaite, Hall; Garner, Anderson; Saka, Rogers, Gordon; Kane.
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