MY ACCOUNT
– England are the joint-top scorers at the World Cup with Portugal, netting 12 times
-France have kept just one clean sheet from their last 10 games
– Recommended bet: England to qualify
England face their toughest test of the World Cup yet when they take on reigning champions France in the quarter-finals at Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor on Sunday evening.
With Morocco or Portugal waiting in the semi-finals, both England and France will fancy their chances of reaching the World Cup final if they can successfully negotiate their last-eight encounter.
Les Bleus are aiming to become just the third nation to win back-to-back World Cups — joining Italy and Brazil on this elite list — while the Three Lions are looking to lift the Jules Rimet trophy for the first time since 1966.
France comfortably eased past Poland 3-1 in the last 16, a game in which Kylian Mbappe scored twice and took his tournament tally to five goals, while England dispatched Senegal 3-0 to reach the quarters for the second straight World Cup.
Team news
England have been boosted by the news Declan Rice managed to train on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s session due to illness, with team-mate Kalvin Phillips saying the West Ham star should be fit enough to play.
Raheem Sterling has also joined back up with the squad, having flown home to attend to a family matter, but he is unlikely to force his way into the starting XI and will have to make do with a spot on the bench.
Callum Wilson is still nursing a minor injury but is expected to take up a place on the bench, while Ben White was earlier ruled out of the tournament due to personal reasons.
France have no fitness concerns ahead of the contest and Didier Deschamps could name the same starting XI that defeated Poland 3-1 in the last-16 stage of the competition.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Jules Kounde are both a yellow card away from being suspended for a potential semi-final.
The stats
England have scored 12 goals in Qatar from their four matches, the same amount as Portugal who have played a game less, and that tally is the Three Lions’ best haul at a single World Cup.
Since the 6-2 victory over Iran in their Group B opener, Gareth Southgate’s men have kept three clean sheets in a row — shutting out the USA, Wales and Senegal.
England have won the two previous World Cup meetings with France, running out 2-0 winners in 1966 and triumphing 3-1 in 1982, both in the group stage.
Les Bleus have failed to keep a clean sheet from four matches in Qatar, the first time they have conceded in their opening four games at a World Cup.
France have scored nine times in total and a large proportion of those goals have gone the way of Mbappe, who has struck five times to lead the Golden Boot race.
Despite being just 23-years-old, Paris Saint-Germain star Mbappe has already notched 33 times from 63 caps, leaving him 19 behind all-time top scorer Olivier Giroud.
If he retains his place, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris will earn his 143rd cap on Sunday and become his country’s all-time record appearance holder — surpassing Lillian Thuram.
Predictions
While France have looked good going forward and have the in-form Mbappe in their ranks, they have looked fragile at the back and a little light in midfield.
As so much emphasis is put on attack, this can often lead to them being exposed on the break and England’s counter-press could work wonders for them.
If the Three Lions can dominate the midfield and maintain a high press on the French, they should be able to get possession in good positions and put good delivery into the box.
With the pace of Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden, the constant work of Rice and Jordan Henderson and the brilliance of Jude Bellingham, England can nullify France’s threat and ensure they qualify for the semi-finals, priced at evens with LiveScore Bet, of the World Cup.
Qatar 2022 Squads: They Score, You Score!
LiveScore Bet’s World Cup 2022 Squads is free and simple to play. Log in to view the Squads page, where you will get the chance to reveal up to five players. Your squad will earn you cash for each goal scored in the listed games. Reveal each player at the stated time throughout the round to complete your line-up. T&Cs apply – click here for more details.
