Chelsea pair Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling are more likely to start England's World Cup opener against Iran than Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, according to the latest odds from Betfair.
Gareth Southgate announced his squad on Thursday afternoon for England's upcoming Nations League fixtures against Italy and Germany, which are the Three Lions' last matches before the World Cup begins in November. There was some surprise as Gunners defender Ben White wasn't called up for the squad, but there is still plenty of Arsenal and Chelsea representation in the 28-man group.
Mount, Sterling and Saka have all been chosen by Southgate and are all almost guaranteed to be on the plane to Qatar, providing they don't pick up an injury that keeps them out of the tournament. The trio have become favourites under the England boss and each played an integral role in the Three Lions' run to the Euro 2020 final last summer.
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Despite being handed his first England cap just eight months before the tournament, Saka showed maturity beyond his years as he played four of the seven games on the run to the Euros final. Mount started five of the matches, while Sterling claimed four contributions as he started in every game.
Betfair believe Mount and Sterling are more likely to start than Saka for England against Iran on November 21. Saka is priced at 21/10 to be in the starting XI for the Three Lions' tournament opener, meaning that Betfair see Saka starting on the bench as the most likely outcome.
Mount has accumulated 31 caps under Southgate in a three-year spell, and he is being strongly tipped to start against Iran, with odds of 2/9 that he is selected by the England boss.
Sterling, who was arguably England's star player last summer, is priced at 4/9 to start the opener in Doha - less likely than Mount, but still expected to be in Southgate's starting XI.
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