Euro 2016: Possible line-ups!

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Possible line-ups

With all 24 final squads confirmed for EURO 2016, UEFA’s correspondents predict each team’s possible starting lineup. See them all…

Euro 2016 teams

Albania: Berisha; Hysaj, Cana, Mavraj, Agolli; Kukeli, Xhaka; Roshi, Abrashi, Lenjani; Çikalleshi.

Coach Gianni De Biasi is hoping Taulant Xhaka will recover from injury in time. Odise Roshi looks set to get the nod ahead of Andi Lila on the right of midfield.

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Austria: Almer; Klein, Dragovic, Hinteregger, Fuchs; Alaba, Baumgartlinger; Harnik, Junuzovic, Arnautovic; Janko.

Some players may not have seen much action at club level recently, but there should be no surprises.

Belgium: Courtois; Alderweireld, Denayer, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Nainggolan, Witsel; Mertens, De Bruyne, Hazard; Lukaku.

The biggest puzzle is defence. How to replace first-choice centre-backs Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Lombaerts? Jason Denayer and Thomas Vermaelen could be the solution. Yannick Carrasco is vying for Dries Mertens’ right-wing berth.

Croatia: Subašić; Srna, Ćorluka, Schildenfeld, Vida; Brozović, Modrić, Rakitić, Kovačić, Perišić; Mandžukić.

The biggest question mark remains at left-back: will it be Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinić or Šime Vrsaljko who replaces the injured Josip Pivarić? Ante Čačić is expected to go use a 4-2-3-1, with Mario Mandžukić the lone front man.

Czech Republic: Čech; Kadeřábek, Sivok, M Kadlec, Limberský; Darida, Plašil; Dočkal, Rosický, Krejčí; Necid.

Marek Suchý is suspended for the opener so Michal Kadlec or Roman Hubník will replace him at centre-back. The real riddle is who will play up front: Tomáš Necid, David Lafata or in-form Milan Škoda, who made his international debut 12 months ago.

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England: Hart; Walker, Cahill, Smalling, Rose; Dier, Wilshere, Alli, Rooney; Kane, Vardy.

Jack Wilshere is a Roy Hodgson favourite despite his lack of playing time this term, while a starting berth for Jamie Vardy must be in the manager’s thinking given his form.

France: Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Koscielny, Évra; Pogba, Sissoko, Matuidi; Griezmann, Giroud, Payet.

It is a toss-up between Anthony Martial and Dimitri Payet as to who plays on the left wing.

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Germany: Neuer; Höwedes, Hummels, Boateng, Hector; Kroos, Khedira; Müller, Özil, Draxler; Gomez.

Joachim Löw is sure to make changes throughout the tournament thanks to the depth of his squad. Right-back, Marco Reus’s replacement and striker are the toughest positions to predict at the moment.

Hungary: Király; Kádár, Lang, Guzmics, Fiola; Nagy, Gera; Dzsudzsák, Kleinheisler, Németh; Szalai.

Krisztián Németh’s place is under threat following injury and the form of rivals like Nemánja Nikolić. Tamás Priskin and Ádám Szalai both harbour hopes of occupying the lone striker berth favoured by Bernd Storck.

Iceland: Kristinsson; Skúlason, R Sigurdsson, Árnason, Sævarsson; Gudmundsson, G Sigurdsson, Gunnarsson, Bjarnason; Sigthórsson, Finnbogason.

All of the players in Lars Lagerbäck and Heimir Hallgrímsson’s squad have experience of working together, with reserves more than capable of stepping in.

Italy: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Candreva, Florenzi, De Rossi, Giaccherini, Darmian; Pellé, Éder.

Antonio Conte admits that only the all-Juventus back line is set in stone. Midfield is the biggest grey area: Claudio Marchisio, Marco Verratti and Riccardo Montolivo are injured, Andrea Pirlo and Jorginho have been overlooked while Thiago Motta has been included in the squad despite struggling with a calf problem.

Northern Ireland: Carroll; Cathcart, McAuley, J Evans; McLaughlin, Norwood, McNair, Davis, Dallas; Ward, Lafferty.

Michael O’Neill used a 4-3-3 formation in qualifying but now seems to prefer 3-5-2. He must decide between Roy Carroll and Michael McGovern in goal, Paddy McNair and Chris Baird as defensive midfielders, and Jamie Ward or Conor Washington to partner Kyle Lafferty in attack.

Poland: Fabiański; Piszczek, Glik, Pazdan, Jędrzejczyk; Błaszczykowski, Krychowiak, Zieliński, Grosicki; Milik, Lewandowski.

Piotr Zieliński is pushing hard for a starting berth after a fine season with Empoli. He is a more creative alternative to Krzysztof Mączyński in midfield.

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Portugal: Rui Patrício; Cédric, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Raphäel Guerreiro; Danilo, João Mário, João Moutinho, Adrien Silva; Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo.

William Carvalho might start instead of Danilo in what would be an all-Sporting CP midfield trio alongside Adrien Silva and João Mário. Eliseu could be an option at left-back in place of Raphäel Guerreiro.

Republic of Ireland: Randolph; Coleman, Keogh, O’Shea, Brady; Walters, Whelan, McCarthy, Hendrick; Hoolahan; Long.

There are still some big calls for Martin O’Neill, who has to decide whether to play Robbie Brady in defence or midfield, and whether Daryl Murphy or Shane Long should start up front.

Romania: Tătărușanu; Săpunaru, Chiricheș, Grigore, Raț; Pintilii, Hoban; Popa, Stanciu, Stancu; Andone.

The 4-2-3-1 looks to be a certainty, though a couple of starting berths may yet be up for grabs. Gabriel Torje could replace Adrian Popa, while Florin Andone and Claudiu Keșerü are vying to start up front.

Russia: Akinfeev; Smolnikov, V Berezutski, Ignashevich, Schennikov; Samedov, Denisov, Mamaev, Shatov; Smolov, Dzyuba.

Alan Dzagoev’s absence leaves a vacancy in midfield and Pavel Mamaev looks the most likely candidate: he was second only to Hulk in combined goals and assists this season in Russia and should combine well with Krasnodar team-mate Fedor Smolov. Georgi Schennikov and Dmitri Kombarov are vying to start at left-back.

Slovakia: Kozáčik; Pekarík, Škrtel, Ďurica, Hubočan; Kucka, Pečovský, Mak, Hamšík, Weiss; Ďuriš.

Marek Hamšík will be the creative hub as Slovakia make their EURO debut.

Spain: De Gea; Juanfran, Piqué, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Thiago; Silva, Nolito, Morata.

It looks like there will be a changing of the guard in goal, with David de Gea replacing Iker Casillas. Nolito has shone in attack in the pre-EURO friendlies, scoring four goals in two games, and is set to lead the line alongside Álvaro Morata.

Sweden: Isaksson; Lustig, Lindelöf, Granqvist, Olsson; Durmaz, Källström, Hiljemark, Forsberg; Berg, Ibrahimović.

Victor Lindelöf’s strong spring with Benfica is likely to be rewarded with a starting berth. Albin Ekdal’s injury makes him doubtful in central midfield while the Swedes will hope that Zlatan Ibrahimović keeps up his habit of scoring on French pitches.

Switzerland: Sommer; Lichtsteiner, Lang, Djourou, Rodriguez; Fernandes, Xhaka, Behrami; Shaqiri, Seferović, Mehmedi.

Only about half the starting XI appears to be set in stone. Breel Embolo will need to prove his match fitness if he is to force his way into the first team.

Turkey: Volkan Babacan; Gökhan Gönül, Mehmet Topal, Hakan Balta, Caner Erkin; Selçuk İnan, Volkan Şen, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Oğuzhan Özyakup, Arda Turan; Burak Yılmaz.

Big question: Now that centre-back Serdar Aziz is out of the squad due to injury, holding midfielder Mehmet Topal will drop back into defence. How will this affect the chemistry in midfield?

Ukraine: Pyatov; Fedetskiy, Khacheridi, Rakitskiy, Shevchuk; Stepanenko, Garmash, Rotan; Yarmolenko, Konoplyanka; Zozulya.

Superb for Shakhtar this spring, 20-year-old Viktor Kovalenko could yet take Denys Garmash’s place in midfield, but Mykhailo Fomenko might prefer the more experienced and combative Garmash for the opener against Germany.

Wales: Hennessey; Gunter, Chester, Williams, Davies, Taylor; Ramsey, King, Allen; Bale, Robson-Kanu.

Chris Coleman is expected to be without midfielder Joe Ledley for at least the opening game against Slovakia, with Premier League winner Andy King favourite to replace him in a like-for-like swap.

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