England vs Costa Rica World Cup 2018 warm up as it happened
England 2-0 Costa Rica: Follow all the action in the Three Lions' final warm-up game at Elland Road
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Your support makes all the difference.Gareth Southgate will get a final opportunity to see his England stars in action against Costa Rica before they travel to Russia for the start of the World Cup 2018.
The Three Lions boss is expected to shuffle the pack after watching his side beat Nigeria 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday, with Jack Butland to be given a chance to prove himself as Jordan Pickford’s understudy for the tournament.
Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold will both start after arriving late to the training camp following the Champions League final, while there could also be opportunities for Jamie Vardy, Harry Maguire and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Danny Rose could also get a start in place of Ashley Young following his revelations about his depression this week.
Follow all the action live below…
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What time is it on?
The game kicks off at 8.00pm BST at Elland Road.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be shown live on ITV, with the live coverage starting at 7.30pm.
Odds?
England: 9/20
Costa Rica: 10/1
Draw: 11/2
Hello and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of England's final World Cup warm-up game against Costa Rica at Elland Road.
Stay with us all afternoon as we build up to kick-off at 8pm this evening.
Gareth Southgate will get a final opportunity to see his England stars in action against Costa Rica before they travel to Russia for the start of the World Cup 2018.
After a 2-1 victory against Nigeria at Wembley on Saturday, Southgate's side will be looking to put on a show as they travel to Elland Road, hoping to put a poor showing against Costa Rica in the 2014 World Cup group stages behind them.
Back then, Costa Rica exposed England's tournament weaknesses, and a good performance here will build confidence ahead of their curtain-raiser against Tunisia in just 11 days time.
Jack Butland will start in goal for England, as he looks to secure his spot as the number two keeper, behind Jordan Pickford, who is expected to be Gareth Southgate's first choice shot-stopper in Russia.
Butland is the more experienced international goalkeeper, with seven caps for the Three Lions, with Pickford featuring just three times, and Nick Pope uncapped.
Elland Road, the home of Leeds United, plays host to the Three Lions this evening, with fans hoping England can improve upon their record at the ground.
England have failed to register at victory in their two previous encounters at Elland Road, first against Sweden in 1995, followed by defeat against Italy in 2002.
Liverpool's young star Trent Alexander-Arnold will start against Costa Rica for his senior international debut, and was presented with his match shirt by the Duke of Cambridge earlier today.
Defender Harry Maguire is likely to feature after missing out against Nigeria with a muscular strain, whilst Jamie Vardy and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are also pushing for a starting berth.
Team news will be with us shortly...
Here's the England team...
As expected Jack Butland starts in goal, with Harry Maguire, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jamie Vardy and Ruben Loftus-Cheek making the starting XI.
The England bench features the likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Dele and if Costa Rica are to frustrate England, Southgate will be hoping their attacking firepower can make an impact later on.
Here is the Costa Rica team visiting Elland Road...
The familiar faces of Keylor Navas, Bryan Oviedo and Joel Campbell start for the visitors, as well as Celtic defender Cristian Gamboa starting as right wing back, and MLS striker Marco Urena leading the line.
A little further depth to the starting XI's:
It's looking likely Gareth Southgate has stuck with his favoured 3-5-2 formation, which will be his setup in Russia. Danny Rose starts on the left ahead of Ashley Young, after revelations this week about his depression and injury struggles.
Meanwhile Costa Rica opt for a 5-4-1 formation, leaving the potential for Los Angeles FC striker Marco Urena to be isolated in attack. The two banks of remaining players are likely to frustrate the inexperienced England line-up, and Three Lions fans will be hoping for an early goal to settle the nerves.
Most fans will want - and expect - nothing more than a win this evening, but hopefully not at the expense of any injuries with just days to go before England's World Cup opener.
Three players that will be keeping a close eye on proceedings tonight are the standby trio of Tom Heaton, Adam Lallana and Jake Livermore, on the bench tonight, and on hand if any of England's stars pick up a late injury.
One of the biggest talking points ahead of the opener against Tunisia in Russia is who will be given the nod in central midfield. With Jordan Henderson returning to international duty following Champions League heartbreak with Liverpool, alongside Fabian Delph this evening against Costa Rica, Eric Dier finds himself on the bench.
Gareth Southgate has already intimated that only one of either Henderson or Dier will start in a deeper role against Tunisia and Panama.
“I think we will only want to play with one pivot. Henderson can play as a No8, so that gives you an option, Dier can play as a centre-back. So they both have another way into the team," said Southgate.
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