Manchester United and Chelsea stars also set to start…
SEE ALSO: The 50 best players at the 2014 World Cup.
England take on Peru at Wembley this evening in their first pre-World Cup friendly, before jetting off to Miami to take on Ecuador and Honduras, before finally heading down to Brazil for the tournament proper.
We think Roy Hodgson will pick a strong side this evening, which could mirror the XI that takes the pitch against Italy on June 14.
GK) Joe Hart
Hart is England’s no.1 goalkeeper, and he’ll be starting the first match of the World Cup barring an injury. Fraser Forster or Ben Foster might get minutes in the second half though.
DR) Glen Johnson
Phil Jones is still not 100%, meaning the first of five Liverpool players in our England predicted lineup could start on the right of the defence.
DC) Gary Cahill
The first defender on England’s team sheet, Cahill will look to rekindle his partnership with Phil Jagielka. The pair enjoyed an excellent defensive record throughout qualification.
DC) Phil Jagielka
Everton’s ageing Englishman is excellent positionally, but also provides the side with a calming influence and top notch aerial ability.
DL) Leighton Baines
Wonderkid left-back Luke Shaw is a doubt, meaning Baines will almost certainly start at left-back for England tonight.
DMC) Steven Gerrard
Gerrard is arguably England’s most important player. He dictates tempo in the base of midfield, and controls England’s style. Playing a friendly without the skipper would be foolish, but don’t expect Hodgson to give his captain, who turns 34 today, any longer than 60 minutes.
MC) Jordan Henderson
Henderson provided the legs and support in Liverpool’s midfield last season alongside Gerrard, and he’s likely to do so the same again with England. If Hodgson needs a more creative spark, Jack Wilshere is a more than capable option from the bench.
AMR) Raheem Sterling
Sterling provides England with width, searing pace, and a touch of genius. He’s only 19-years-old, but he has the ability to take this World Cup by storm – if Hodgson gives him the creative freedom to express his exceptional ability.
AML) Adam Lallana
Unlike Sterling on the other flank, Lallana, if selected, will likely drift inside and link up with the midfielders rather than look to beat his fullback.
AM/FC) Wayne Rooney
Roy Hodgson and skipper Gerrard recently refuted Paul Scholes’ claims that Rooney is past his best, and the talisman will be looking to prove his former teammate wrong tonight.
FC) Daniel Sturridge
Liverpool’s striker provides the side with a direct threat in behind because of his pace, and it would be wasted if Hodgson played it safe and deployed him on the left. This is the manager’s chance to test Rooney and Sturridge in a genuine forward pairing.
