Tunisia v England - Preview and possible lineups

Tunisia: Sunderland forward Wahbi Khazri is expected to be fit for the 'Carthage Eagles', despite having not player since April after suffering a thigh injury during a loan spell at Rennes. Full-back Ali Maaloul should also shake off a hamstring problem in time to start. However, Nabil Maaloul's side will be without star man Youssef Msakni, who misses the tournement due to a cruciate knee ligament injury.

England: Marcus Reashford's return to training means that Gareth Southgate has a fully-fit squad to choose from, though he could lose utility man Fabian Delph at short notice with the Manchester City man on standby to return home with his wife expecting their third child in the coming days. Southgate is believed to have already told the England players who will start, with Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson expected to be included ahead of Gary Cahill and Eric Dier.

Tunisia boss Nabil Maaloul:

"We are in form. We know very well we are in an extremely tough group but we have raised our game, especially in terms of our athleticism.

"Everyone has seen how well we have played in the warm-ups. We are determined to go down in history."

England boss Gareth Southgate:

"We have been working on a system of play we think suits the players we have available and the style of play we want to implement.

"Everyone at home wants England to win but they want to see them play well and enjoy their football and that's what I want as a coach."

Form:

Did you know?

The last time these sides met was in their opening game of the 1998 World Cup in France, with England running out 2-0 winners in Marseille.

Tunisia's win against Mexico in 1978 was the first by an African side at the World Cup.

Tunisia are the highest-ranked African side in the world (21st), but have failed to win in their last 11 World Cup games and have never progressed beyond the group stage in four attempts.

England have never lost against an African team at the World Cup (W3, D3, L0).

Possible lineups:

Tunisia: Mathlouthi; Bronn, Ben Youssef, Benalouane, Maaloul; Sassi, Khaoui, Skhiri; Sliti, Khazri, Badri.

England: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire; Trippier, Henderson, Alli, Young; Lingard Sterling; Kane.