England vs France - World Cup quarter-final: Team news, lineups & prediction
England are up against familiar European rivals France in their World Cup quarter-final on Saturday night.
These specific iterations of England and France share a number of similarities. Both have been blessed with an array of talented young forwards that are watched over by managers who have a reputation for constantly hovering over the handbrake.
Despite this standing, England are the tournament's joint-top scorers and France boast the most prolific player in the competition.
Here's everything you need to know about a real thigh-rubber of a fixture.
Where are England vs France playing?
- Location: Al Khor, Qatar
- Stadium: Al Bayt Stadium
- Date: Saturday 10 December
- Kick-off Time: 19:00 GMT / 14:00 ET / 11:00 PT
England vs France H2H Results (All Time)
- England: 17 Wins
- France: 9 Wins
- Draws: 5
Current Form (Last Five Games)
- England: DWDWW
- France: LWWLW
England team news
Ben White left the England squad due to personal reasons last week, while Raheem Sterling took a plane out of Qatar after his home was broken into by armed intruders. Thankfully, the 28-year-old's family were unharmed and he is back at the World Cup.
Declan Rice has started every match at the World Cup but missed a training session in the buildup to the knockout tie with illness. Fellow ever-present John Stones came off against Senegal feeling his hamstring and Callum Wilson is nursing a muscular strain.
England predicted lineup vs France
England Starting 11 (4-3-3): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Henderson, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Foden.
Bench: Pope, Ramsdale, Coady, Dier, Alexander-Arnold, Trippier, Phillips, Gallagher, Rashford, Maddison, Grealish, Mount, Wilson.
France team news
There was a flutter of hope from all those of a Three Lions persuasion when Kylian Mbappe missed a French training session ahead of the tie. However, the team's leading scorer is expected to be front and centre this Saturday.
France predicted lineup vs England
France Starting 11 (4-3-3): Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, Hernandez; Griezmann, Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Giroud, Mbappe.
Bench: Areola, Mandanda, Disasi, Konate, Saliba, Pavard, Veretout, Camavinga, Fofana, Guendouzi, Coman, Kolo Muani, Thuram.
England vs France betting tips
Match result
France to win and both teams to score – France’s last four wins at the World Cup have seen them also concede in the match, including all three victories at the 2022 tournament.
England to win and score three or more goals – England’s three wins at the 2022 World Cup have seen them score at least three times and nine of their last 10 wins in all competitions have seen them net at least three goals.
Both teams to score – Only one of the previous 31 meetings between England and France has ended goalless, with both teams scoring in more than half of those 31 games (18).
Both teams to score is currently 4/5*
Goals
England to score first & win – England have won 25 of their last 27 games in all competitions when
they’ve scored first (D2).
Olivier Giroud first goalscorer – Two of Olivier Giroud’s four goals at the World Cup have been the opening goal, while he has scored 10 goals in his last 13 appearances for France and is their all-time record scorer with 52 goals.
Kylian Mbappe goal or assist – Kylian Mbappe has either scored (5) or assisted (2) each of France’s last seven goals at the World Cup.
Harry Kane anytime goalscorer – Harry Kane has scored 52 goals in all competitions for England, one short of the record set by Wayne Rooney (53) and scored twice in his last appearance against France in 2017.
Callum Wilson anytime goalscorer – Callum Wilson has scored with three of his four shots on target in the Premier League against Spurs and France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Callum Wilson to score for England anytime is currently 3/1*
Kylian Mbappe two shots or more on target – Kylian Mbappe has had at least two shots on target in four of his last five World Cup appearances, including each of his last three.
Insights courtesy of Opta. Head to The Analyst Stats Hub for live group stage standings, top scores, match metrics, team stats and much more!
*Odds correct at time of publication. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org
England vs France score prediction
However, England have had the edge defensively in this tournament. While the Three Lions bounce into the final eight on the back of four-and-a-half hours without conceding, France are the only team left in the competition without a clean sheet.
England's rearguard has been parsimonious but is yet to come up against the talent littered across the front line of Les Blues. As Gareth Southgate stressed: "It’s the biggest test that we could face."
In a match seemingly devoid of a favourite, France's World Cup-winning experience - and the best player on the planet - give them the faintest whiff of an advantage.
Prediction: England 0-1 France
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