2022 FIFA World Cup
Saturday 10th December 2022
Kick off at 7pm GMT
Venue: Al Bayt Stadium
Match Preview:
There is a strong belief that this current crop of England players is the best England have had for at least 30 years, maybe even longer and in that England will believe that they have a genuine chance of winning the World Cup for the first time since 1966.
England have looked flawless scoring goals and only conceding two so far which was in their opening game against Iran in which they won 6-2. Since that opening game they haven’t conceded and have looked strong, physical but most of all exciting going forward. Against Senegal England did what they do best and imposed themselves, took their time and then struck like a python and before you know it the game is over. This is an England side that play with intelligence and are never afraid to come forward and they know how to score goals. The worry though and to be fair up to the quarter finals this could be directed at any of the teams is that they have yet to face real quality. Let’s remember too that USA gave England a difficult time with that group game finishing 0-0. England did beat Senegal 3-0 in the round of 16 but after the first 30 minutes Senegal seemed to run out of ideas quick and were largely a disappointment. Now England will face the current world champions and this will be a huge step up.
Much has been said about the battle between Kyle Walker and Kylian Mbappe. Walker has actually faced Mbappe four times in the Champions League and has come out well in those duels but there has been a lot of focus on Mbappe as the main danger man for England. Rightly so as no other player seems to have the pace of the French forward but at the same time France have emerged with other surprises and maybe the focus shouldn’t just be on Mbappe. Antoine Griezmann has not performed well in La Liga for the last three years, not to his usual standards anyway but has looked just as good as in 2018 when he led France to World Cup glory. Ousmane Dembele has had a frustrating time with Barcelona but looked brilliant for the national side and Olivier Giroud who couldn’t score in the last World Cup looks dangerous up front and is scoring for fun so much so that he has during this competition become France’s all time leading goalscorer ousting Thierry Henry.
Team News:
England: Declan Rice has been ill during the week but is expected to be fine for this game. Callum Wilson has a minor strain and will be assessed. Raheem Sterling is back with the squad after he flew back to the UK as his home was burgled. Ben White is out due to personal reasons.
France: There are no injury worries for the nation ahead of this encounter.
England vs France Head to Head:
The last time the teams played each other was in 2017 in a friendly and France won 3-2.
In the last 8 meetings England has just 1 win.
The sides have met twice at the World Cup in 1966 and 1982 and England won both games.
There is a 70% chance to see under 2.5 goals.
England vs France Prediction:
England have a great record or not so great of exiting major tournaments at the quarter final stage and there is no doubting that their recent record over France has been poor. And yet there is hope that England can go up that extra level and produce when it matters with their attacking line up of players that we have seen at this competition. Doubts will remain though because frankly England have played very well but their opposition has been poor to average and this is the real test. In former competitions going back to 1970 when England have faced quality and a technical side they have failed to win. The law of averages and lady luck and of course the quality and belief in this England side may change all of that but this will surely be a very difficult game to navigate.
The same could be said of France, they won’t fear England but they will respect them and will realise in players such as Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford that there is a danger that England will have plenty of chances on goal. But one has to look at this French side who are looking stronger and stronger as the competition goes on. Heads will say one thing and hearts will say another and even though England have improved vastly it could be a stretch to think that they are going to knock out the current world champions.
England vs France Betting Tips:
To qualify: France at 1.72
Anytime goalscorer: Kylian Mbappe at 2.75
Anytime goalscorer: Jude Bellingham at 6.50
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