England predicted line-up for Euro 2024 Final vs Spain as big calls made on Newcastle, Villa and Man Utd stars

The hours are ticking down towards England’s date with destiny as Gareth Southgate’s men prepare to face Spain in the final of Euro 2024.

Not since a historic Wembley day when the Three Lions beat Germany in the 1966 World Cup Final has an England men’s senior side won a major tournament - but that could all change in Berlin on Sunday night. It has been a somewhat strange tournament for Southgate and his players after the struggled to his the standards many expected of them until an impressive win against the Netherlands that ultimately sealed their place in Sunday’s final.

The same can not be said of their opponents as the Spanish have been described as the best side in Germany after the likes of Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo all impressed during their run to the final. They will provide a sizeable test for England and will head into the final as favourites to claim their own first major tournament win since the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Xabi Alonso all shone in a 4-0 win against Italy in the final of Euro 2012.

England team news and injury latest

There are two major decisions for Gareth Southgate to make as he prepares the Three Lions for their second consecutive European Championship Final and one of them revolves around two players who linked up for a memorable moment in the Euro 2020 Final against Italy.

On that occasion, Kieran Trippier’s cross was fired home by Luke Shaw to put England in front after just three minutes at Wembley. Newcastle United star Trippier has started every game at left-back during Euro 2024 - but Shaw’s gradual return to full fitness has gathered pace and he now has a more than credible argument to be handed a start in Sunday’s final. Ollie Watkins could also lay claim to a rare start following his heroics in the semi-final win against the Netherlands - but it would be a shock to see Southgate do anything other than retain faith with captain Harry Kane.

Spain team news and injury latest

The main injury news for Spain revolves around Barcelona midfielder Pedri and he will miss Sunday’s showpiece after suffering a knee injury in the quarter-final win against Germany. That ruled the 21-year-old out of the tournament and he will now focus his attention on returning to full fitness in time for Barca’s La Liga campaign. However, there was positive news for De La Fuente as defensive duo Robin Le Normand and Dani Carvajal return to contention after they were both suspended for the semi-final victory against France.

What has Gareth Southgate said about facing Spain?

“They would be rightly favourites for what they have done this tournament,” Southgate said. “They have been the best team. They have got a day longer and in the last three finals, maybe more, it has been quite significant so we have got to get our recovery spot on. Tactically we will have to be perfect as they are such a good side. They are a bloody good side. Let’s pitch it right. We have got to be perfect to win this game and we will have to find everything that we have got from within us.”

What has Luis de la Fuente said about facing England?

"Before starting the tournament, England and France would have been favourites, as well as Germany for the fact they were playing at home. We have had the chance to keep overcoming those games (against the favourites) and now we have another huge match. Maybe Spain have offered a better version so far at the finals (than England), but that won't have any influence on a one-off game.

England have quality players that can appear at any moment. We are up against a really powerful side full of experience, not just in terms of the national team, but at club level as well. It's going to be tough. But we're looking forward to this one. We want to keep growing. This group of players are going to keep fighting to try and win the trophy."

Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Shaw; Foden, Kane, Bellingham.

Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Olmo, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams.