EURO 2020 Qualifiers: How England should line up against Czech Republic

England kick off their EURO 2020 qualifiers this week with a potentially tricky clash against the Czech Republic. With a number of players, like John Stones and Jesse Lingard, withdrawing from the squad through injury and some new faces, like Callum Hudson-Odoi and Declan Rice, being included, the team that starts on Friday might be a little different to the one that came so close to bringing football home in the summer. While there may be some personnel changes, we can expect to see Gareth Southgate persevere with the 5-at-the-back formation that has brought his nation's side such success in recent times. With that in mind, these are the players who should start for the Three Lions and who should remain on the bench:

Goalkeepers:

Pickford earned his first international cap in 2017

Starter - GK - Jordan Pickford

Pickford has not had the best of seasons at Everton but seems to perform better in an England shirt. It would be a massive vote of no-confidence to pull him from the starting lineup here, so expect to see him start versus Czech Republic.

Bench - Tom Heaton

Heaton, like Pickford, has had mixed success in the Premier League this season and hasn't done enough to leapfrog his countrymen for the starting spot. He is doing well, however, to stay at the top of the pile in Burnley's collection of goalkeepers that also features former England internationals Joe Hart and Nick Pope and experienced journeyman Anders Lindegaard.

Bench - Jack Butland

While you could argue that Butland has had the best season among the three, the fact that he is plying his trade in the championship with Stoke City this season means his chances of starting this game are slim to none.

Defenders:

Chillwell has 5 international caps to his name

Starter - RWB - Kieran Trippier

Trippier was being heralded as the best right-back in the world following his exploits at the world cup this summer. While he hasn't been performing quite at that level in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt, his immense quality and proven ability at the international level should be enough to secure him a starting spot come Friday.

Starter - RCB - Kyle Walker

While there will be many that argue this is not Walker's best position, his effectiveness in the role was proven at the world cup. Given England's wealth of right-back options, it would be wise to persevere with Walker at centre-back. Walker can pick up some much needed minutes as he continues to learn how to play the position.

Starter - CB - James Tarkowski

Tarkowski has been excellent this season in the Burnley defense and while he is far from the first name on the teamsheet, he deserves a trial run here in the absence of John Stones.

Starter - LCB - Harry Maguire

The safest prediction amongst the centre-backs, Maguire looks set to be at the the heart of England's defence for years to come.

Starter - LWB - Ben Chillwell

While fairly inexperienced at the international level, Chillwell has been exceptional for Leicester City this season and would be a great selection here alongside his club teammate Maguire.

Bench - Trent Alexander-Arnold

Alexander-Arnold may very well be the future at right-back for England. While he may not start on Friday, he should definitely be given some game time if England are in a position to do so.

Bench - Michael Keane

Keane seems to be finding his feet at Everton and has earned his way back into the squad. While it's probably too soon to hand him a starting role, Keane is another who could use some minutes off the bench.

Bench - Danny Rose

Rose is the more experienced and safe option at left wing-back and may well get the nod over Chillwell. He is a valuable option in any case and we'll have to wait and see who Southgate chooses to go with.

Midfielders:

Rice recently chose to represent England instead of Ireland

Starter - CM - Dele Alli

Alli can be the spark that turns a game for England, particularly when they are playing opposition who will be looking to nullify the attacking threat. While Southgate may choose to use him as a substitute option, All would be a great pick to start on Friday.

Starter - CM - Declan Rice

Much has been made of Rice's decision to represent England over Ireland. But now that he has made his decision, he should be allowed to let his performances do the talking. It would be a bold move chucking the youngster straight into the starting XI but one I feel he's earned given his exceptional performances in the Premier League.

Bench - Ross Barkley

Barkley has seen increased playing time at Chelsea recently but has not done enough to secure a starting spot just yet.

Bench - Eric Dier

The versatile defensive-minded option may well find himself starting on Friday. While there are more exciting players available, it may be Dier's defensive talents that secure him a start.

Bench - Jordan Henderson

While Henderson was exceptional at the World Cup, he's been a little less impressive this season with Liverpool and therefore might not appear for the Three Lions on Friday.

Bench - James Ward-Prowse

Ward-Prowse is a man in form in the Premier League. While he is likely too unproven to command a starting spot against the Czech Republic, it would be great to see him get some minutes late on.

Attackers:

Kane won the golden boot at last year's World Cup

Starter - ATT - Marcus Rashford

Rashford has been in scintillating form at club level following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's arrival at Manchester United. So long as he isn't too exhausted from competing both domestically and in Europe, he surely is a must-start for England on Friday.

Starter - STR - Harry Kane

Kane is Southgate's striker of choice and while he continues to divide fans in terms of just how good he is, he is undoubtedly England's best number 9. Kane will surely start barring injury or experimentation from Southgate.

Starter - ATT - Raheem Sterling

England's best player on his day, Sterling should see himself start against Czech Republic barring some drastic reshuffling by Southgate.

Bench - Jadon Sancho

Sancho is still unproven in an England shirt. Being the only player in the squad plying his trade abroad, he may need a little longer than most to adjust to the type of football England play. He should certainly see minutes as a substitute if England are in a position to do so.

Bench - Callum Wilson

Wilson is starting to push for a place in the England squad. While he is not yet a starter, Wilson will look to make the most of any minutes he does receive to tighten his grip on his place.

Bench - Callum Hudson-Odoi

The most talked about inclusion of Southgate's squad, Hudson-Odoi is somewhat of an unknown factor given how little time he has spent playing Premier League football. Whether or not Southgate lets him test the waters at international level remains to be seen but there will be many a fan hoping to get a glimpse of what this young man can do.