England are set to make a major tactical change against Switzerland, returning to the 3-4-2-1 formation which helped them reach the final of Euro 2020.
Gareth Southgate’s side struggled to last-16 victory over Slovakia, only winning after late goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
They will have to significantly improve to beat a solid Swiss side in Dusseldorf on Saturday evening, but a shift to mirror their formation is an attempt to do so.
England have scored just four goals in four Euro 2024 matches, but have conceded just twice, among the best defensive records in the competition.
England team news
All 26 England players took part in full training the day before the Switzerland match, but that doesn’t mean they’re all available.
Marc Guehi is suspended for one match after picking up a second yellow card of the tournament against Slovakia.
The Crystal Palace centre-back has been one of England’s most consistent performers and replacing him will be the toughest task ahead of this match.
This is one of the reasons Southgate has turned to a three-at-the-back system for this match, in an attempt to protect whoever is tasked with replacing Guehi.
John Stones and Kyle Walker will likely reprise their roles in the back three from Euro 2020, with a debate to be had between Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold at right wing-back.
Trippier has far more experience in the position, especially under Southgate, but his performances have been consistently poor.
Alexander-Arnold is more comfortable in an inverted role, but he has been in far better form in recent months and could excel if provided the right instruction.
The same is true of Bukayo Saka, who appears set to reprise the left wing-back role he temporarily took on against Slovakia, despite not playing there consistently since 2020.
In central midfield, Kobbie Mainoo will most likely partner Declan Rice for the second consecutive match after producing a solid but unspectacular last-16 showing.
Perhaps the most interesting area of the pitch will be the front three.
Bellingham and Phil Foden are set to operate as twin No 10s, given a roaming brief behind Harry Kane.
This will likely be either spectacular or incredibly stodgy, with the three players preferring to operate in similar areas of the pitch.
Who should replace Marc Guehi?
Alongside Stones and Walker in a back three, Ezri Konsa is set to start over Joe Gomez and Lewis Dunk.
Although Dunk has more experience, Southgate prefers Konsa and his versatility is better suited to a three-at-the-back formation.
England’s predicted line-up to face Switzerland
3-4-2-1: Pickford; Walker; Stones; Konsa; Alexander-Arnold; Mainoo; Rice; Saka; Bellingham; Foden; Kane