England v Brazil: How to back Stones, Foden and Gallagher in Three Lions victory

• Shut-out possible with Stones a rock

• Foden must start, and we can profit

• Gallagher the all-rounder

• Read Betfair's new 90 Minute Payout offer here

Though there are a couple of friendlies directly leading into Euro 2024 this next week is essentially Gareth Southgate's last chance to assess his squad options ahead of the summer. Furthermore, should he wish to introduce any tactical or formational tweaks the time to do so is now, not June.

All of which places some doubt over who starts against Brazil on Saturday evening, and who is selected to face Belgium three days later.

The England boss, however, has previous for going strong in the first of two friendlies, then handing out debuts in the second, and on this basis - fitness permitting - we can assume the following quartet will feature at Wembley at the weekend.

If so, even the five-time World Cup winning Selecao should be worried, given the superb form each player is in.

John Stones

The Barnsley Beckenbauer has endured a frustrating stop-start campaign, littered with injuries. A hip problem meant that his season didn't begin in earnest until October. An ankle complaint set him back around the new year just as he was getting up to full speed.

With these issues now resolved, however, what we've witnessed in recent weeks is a return to the Stones of last season, the Rolls Royce defender who steps into midfield and beyond, to ensure the greatest level of control for Pep Guardiola's creation.

Granted, the 29-year-old is typically more restrained for his country, deployed as a straightforward centre-back, but pertinently we recall Manchester City's thumping of Real Madrid last May in the Champions League.

On the night, Vinicius Jr - Brazil's main attacking threat this Saturday - had a nightmare, because if he came inside, there was Stones to calmly disarm him. If he went down the line he inevitably lost in a foot-race against Kyle Walker.

At one point, the winger approached Carlo Ancelotti, his arms flailing in the air. 'What more can I do?' he seemed to be saying, and that bodes very well for Wembley.

Lastly, Stones' importance within the England set-up should not be under-stated. In the last seven games in which he's featured the Three Lions have won six. In the last seven he's missed they have won only two.

Phil Foden

For a good while Foden was viewed as England's great generational talent, a player to build a tournament-winning team around. Yet such lofty claims have quietened of late, ever since the stratospheric rise of Jude Bellingham, or more accurately the immense hype has transferred across wholesale to the Real Madrid megastar.

Which is ironic because the Foden of now is infinitely superior to the boy wonder who could produce fireworks on occasion.

This season a more complete midfielder has emerged, one who has regularly outshone the esteemed likes of Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City, as illustrated by his club-high seven Man of the Match awards.

Most impressive of his stats may be his 88.6% pass completion rate considering the adventure and risk behind each of them. Additionally, Foden has averaged two key passes per 90 and 1.52 successful take-ons.

Only four top-flight players have committed to more shots and he has won 32 corners as a consequence.

Conor Gallagher

Only three other top-flight stars boast a better average per 90 at winning possession back in the final third. Crucially, none of them have made anything like the volume of appearances Gallagher has.

Amidst the chaos and crisis at Stamford Bridge this term, the midfielder has emerged with real credit, bringing his game on and showing attributes that were deemed beyond him when scavenging in energetic fashion for Palace.

His passing stats are right up there - 1.5 key passes per game with a 90.7% pass completion rate - while defensively 2.6 successful tackles per 90 is bettered at Chelsea only by Marc Cucurella.

Statistically Chelsea's second best performing player in 2023/24, if the 24-year-old could just dispense with picking up cheap yellows he could firmly establish himself in this England set-up for years to come.

Two late goals at Selhurst Park recently is a reminder of his threat going forward but of more interest is his assist last week against Newcastle.

It can't be explained why but Gallagher seems to assist in streaks.

Now read my piece on which players should be backed to make Southgate's final squad!