Richard Dean
Harry Kane’s fitness remains uncertain as England prepares to face Finland in Helsinki this Sunday. The Bayern Munich striker is recovering from a minor leg injury, which kept him out of the recent match against Greece. Kane is expected to train on Friday, and a further assessment will determine if he can play.
England’s interim manager, Lee Carsley, shared his hope for Kane’s return. “We’re going to assess him tomorrow,” he stated regarding Friday’s training session. The outcome will heavily influence England’s lineup against Finland.
Injury Concerns for England
In addition to Kane, Bukayo Saka sustained an injury during the defeat to Greece and has since been withdrawn from the squad. Carsley noted, “He is being assessed. Obviously in the build-up to the first goal, I think you could see he felt something in his leg.” Curtis Jones also dropped out due to injury, creating further challenges for the team.
Key points on the injury front include:
- Kane’s Status: Minor injury, will be assessed after training on Friday.
- Saka’s Condition: Limped off during the game against Greece; out for the Finland match.
- Jones: Also out due to injury.
Tactical Changes Ahead of the Match
Following the experimental 4-2-2-2 formation used against Greece— which resulted in a 2-1 defeat—Carsley plans to revert to England’s traditional 4-2-3-1 setup. This change aims to strengthen the team’s attacking and defensive play against Finland.
The manager indicated that familiar formations would give the players a clearer strategy. The squad will likely include some players who did not feature against Greece, such as:
- Marc Guehi
- Kyle Walker
- Jack Grealish
- Angel Gomes
Predicted Lineup for England
With injuries impacting selections, here’s a look at the anticipated England starting XI against Finland:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
- Defenders: Kyle Walker, Marc Guehi, John Stones, and Lewis
- Midfielders: Angel Gomes, Declan Rice
- Forwards: Cole Palmer, Jack Grealish, Anthony Gordon, and possibly Harry Kane.
Match Details
The upcoming match will take place at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium. Here are some key details:
- Date and Time: Sunday, October 13, 2024, at 5 PM BST
- Broadcast Channel: ITV1
Betting Insights and Predictions
As England heads into this fixture, betting experts suggest looking into options like Ollie Watkins scoring at any time during the game, priced at 8/5 by bet365. This match against Finland presents an opportunity for England to bounce back from their recent loss.
Conclusion
With key players like Kane and Saka facing fitness battles, England’s clash against Finland poses both challenges and opportunities. Coach Lee Carsley will be keen to find a winning formula as his squad looks to recover from a disappointing performance against Greece. The upcoming match is not just about securing points but also rebuilding confidence for future competitions
