Bukayo Saka is expected to start for England against Senegal in Sunday’s World Cup Last-16 match, Sky Sports News has learned.
Saka scored twice in England’s 6-2 World Cup opener against Iran but did not find the back of the net against the United States in the following game.
The 21-year-old Arsenal winger came on as an unused substitute in the 3-0 win over Wales, with goals scored by Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford both favored.
Saka scored twice as England won 6-2 against Iran earlier in the tournament
But Saka will now return to the starting line-up against Senegal on Sunday, as Gareth Southgate’s side look to make the final of a third successive major tournament.
What does Saka’s inclusion mean for the offensive line?
Sky Sports News’ Chief Correspondent Melissa Reddy:
“Despite a lot of talk of an inconsistent game, Saka should start. Then one of Phil Foden or Marcus Rashford is expected to miss out.
“The fact that Saka rested in the last game, probably means that this is always planned.
One of Phil Foden (right) and Marcus Rashford (left) are expected to miss out
“That leaves the conversation about what Southgate will do elsewhere in attack. Foden and Rashford both offer something different – Rashford is direct but Foden’s grace and power on the ball was on show against Wales. But I don’t think there will be many complaints about Saka’s inclusion.
“Raheem Sterling is also someone Southgate trusts, and Southgate hasn’t started a knockout game without him; the Sterling-Kane combination has been one of the pillars of his management.”
Reporter’s note: Who else will start for England?
Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish – PA/AP Photo
Sky Sports News chief reporter Rob Dorsett:
The number of sides will undoubtedly remain the same. As, I hope, the formation – the 4-3-3 has worked well for England in the tournament so far, allowing them to be an extra man in the middle of the game, so I hope that doesn’t change.
The back four is likely to be similar, although it is difficult between Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier at right back. Walker can win this battle – his exceptional speed is a quality that Southgate has always appreciated, although without Trippier in the team, England lose his skill and pieces.
Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are other options in the midfield, and Jordan Henderson could be accepted ahead of Mason Mount, thanks to his experience and steady presence.
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England manager Gareth Southgate believes the squad selection problem is worth living in and the team is confident they can progress.
We know that Harry Kane will lead England, despite his poor performance in this World Cup. The captain is not playing fast, but he insisted in the pre-match press conference that he is fine and feeling good.
His contribution is significant: his three assists are the most by any Englishman at the World Cup since David Beckham more than two decades ago.
So the main areas of contention revolve around England’s attacking positions, which have been hotly debated since the win over Wales. Of course, long before the game.
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The captain of the England team Harry Kane has insisted that he feels good about the way he is doing against the Senegal team in the Round of 16.
Expect Jack Grealish to remain the dominant force in England, so it’s a question of ‘two out of four’, with possible attractive arguments for any of Rashford, Foden, Sterling and Saka.
Saka is expected to start, while Southgate said in his press conference before the match that “he is not sure there is a right or wrong decision”, because all four are special and each of them offers something different. That is very true.
He also said – correctly – that there are five substitutes, each of them has the ability to play a role on the bench.
Among the media there is a feeling that, because Henderson, Rashford and Foden have done interviews with the media in the last few days, they should be in the starting line-up. I don’t know if the FA or Southgate works like that.
England’s path to the World Cup final
Round 16 – Sunday December 4th
England vs Senegal – Start at 7pm
Quarter-finals – Saturday December 10
England vs France or Poland – Start at 7pm
Semi-finals – Wednesday December 14
England vs Morocco/Spain/Portugal/Switzerland – Start at 7pm
Last 16 games
Saturday December 3rd
Netherlands 3-1 USA
Argentina 2-1 Australia
Sunday December 4th
France (Group D Winners) vs Poland (Finalists in Group C) – Kick-off 3pm
England (Group B winners) vs Senegal (Finals in Group A) – Starts at 7pm
Monday December 5
Japan (Cinners of Group E) vs Croatia (Finalists in Group F) – Kick-off 3pm
Brazil (Group G winners) vs South Korea (Finalists in Group H) – Kick-off 7pm
Tuesday December 6th
Morocco (Group F winners) vs Spain (Finalists in Group E) – Kick-off 3pm
Portugal (Group H Winners) vs Switzerland (Finalists in Group G) – Kick-off 7pm
