England vs France Predictions

• France have won three of their four games in Qatar and were able to rest key players in their final group fixture.
• England conceded early chances against Senegal in the last 16.
• France forward Kylian Mbappe has five goals in three starts.
• England failed to beat Germany (two draws) and Italy (one loss, one draw) in the Nations League in 2022.

France and England face off in World Cup quarter-finals

England brushed aside Senegal in the last 16 of the World Cup on Sunday to set up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash with France.

The Three Lions face Les Bleus on Saturday in the late game at Al Bayt Stadium in what will be a huge test for Gareth Southgate’s side.

England are definitely without Ben White and Raheem Sterling may be unavailable as both had to travel back to the UK, while France may be without a left-back as Lucas Hernandez is injured and his brother Theo has reportedly suffered an injury in training and is rated as a doubt.

France playing like defending champions

Italy and Brazil are the only teams who have managed to successfully defend the World Cup and the latter were the last side to achieve that feat way back in 1962, but this France team appear as if they may be capable of joining that elite group.

Les Bleus won their first two group stage games fairly comfortably before a much-changed side lost to Tunisia. France then saw off Poland 3-1 in their last 16 clash, with the Poles hitting a late consolation effort via the penalty spot.

England looked sensational when beating Iran 6-2 before a lacklustre display against the USA. A 3-0 win over Wales followed before they overcame Senegal but there were some worrying signs in that game against the Lions of Teranga.

Senegal had a few opportunities in the early stages of the game and they enjoyed some early success against England’s defence. A better attack may well have made a breakthrough – and France arguably have the best frontline in Qatar. England have also struggled against their quality European neighbours in 2022 and failed to beat both Germany (D2) and Italy (D1, L1) in the Nations League, and that suggests France may have the edge.

Kylian Mbappe has looked sensational at the World Cup and veteran Olivier Giroud has also been chipping in with goals. France went into the tournament in poor form but they have hit their stride in Qatar and with Mbappe in form this may prove to be a game too far for England.

Three Lions can keep it competitive

The fact France are odd-against influenced my decision to select a win for Didier Deschamps’ men as the main bet, but both teams to score also appeals in this quarter-final tie.

England have hit 12 goals in their four games, only failing to score against USA, while France have conceded in all their fixtures so far.

Southgate’s men should provide the French with their toughest test of the tournament to date and a 2-1 win for the defending champions looks a reasonable option in the correct score market, as England have only lost by more than one goal once since a 2-0 defeat to Belgium in the Nations League in 2020.

It is hard to look beyond Mbappe in terms of a scorer bet after his brace against Poland. The PSG forward has five goals in three starts and can boost his changes of winning the Golden Boot with a goal on Saturday. From an England perspective, a goal or assist from skipper Harry Kane appeals – the Spurs man has one World Cup goal and one assist so far, but he did put a few dangerous balls into the box against Senegal as well as scoring and on another day may have recorded an assist in that clash.

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