England vs Panama World Cup tips and tactics: Gareth Southgate set for reshuffle as Three Lions prepare for Russian heat

James Olley22 June 2018

England have made a strong start to the 2018 World Cup with a dramatic victory over Tunisia, and will be confident of making it two wins from two as they face Panama on Sunday.

Harry Kane's injury-time header earned a vital 2-1 win over Group G Tunisia to put the Three Lions in a great position to qualify for the last 16 of the tournament.

Up next for Gareth Southgate's men are Panama, and a win against the South American side would all but guarantee England's place in the knockout stages ahead of a potential group decider against Belgium.

James Olley has the key talking points ahead of the match...

Will Rashford prove more effective than Sterling?

REUTERS

Raheem Sterling faces a battle to keep his place with Southgate considering starting Marcus Rashford alongside Harry Kane against Panama.

Rashford produced a lively 21-minute cameo against Tunisia but he must be more clinical in whatever game-time he gets after Sterling’s profligacy in Volgograd.

England wasted several clear chances in the first half and they cannot afford to make life harder than necessary again.

Will the heat be a factor?

England players battle midges during Tunisia match

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Forecasts suggest temperatures in Nizhny Novgorod could be as high as 32 degrees at kick-off on Sunday.

By contrast, the weather in Repino has been dreary, cool with heavy showers in the past few days.

Unlike four years ago when the team went to Miami, England have not undergone any warm-weather training in preparation for conditions - they will rely on the youth and energy within the team to offset any concerns.

Can Loftus-Cheek provide the right balance?

PA

Eric Dier claimed recently that Dele Alli’s defensive work without the ball often goes unnoticed.

That contribution is key to the balance of the team with Alli alongside Jesse Lingard in an advanced central midfield position while Jordan Henderson sits deeper.

Loftus-Cheek impressed in attacking areas as a substitute against Tunisia and while he may not be asked to do much defensively against Panama, he must remain diligent if selected.

Will VAR work in England’s favour this time?

Getty Images

Kyle Walker told Standard Sport on Tuesday that England’s players were still baffled by the correct process for requesting and implementing VAR in matches.

Walker conceded a debatable first-half penalty which threatened to cost them victory against Tunisia but at the other end, Harry Kane was regularly manhandled at corners yet got nothing from the officials.

England may feel they are due a change in luck.

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