England vs France is next as England are up against familiar European rivals France in their World Cup quarter-final
Match Details:
- Location: Al Khor, Qatar
- Stadium: Al Bayt Stadium
- Date: Saturday 11 December
- Kick-off Time: 12: 30 AM IST
- Watch: Sports 18/HD, Jio Cinema App
England vs France: Match Preview:
Gareth Southgate’s side meet the defending champions in a blockbuster clash at the Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday night.
Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France beat Poland 3-1 in their last-16 tie, while England overcame Senegal 3-0 to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
Les Bleus earlier topped Group D ahead of Australia despite a shock defeat by Tunisia, while England cruised to the summit of Group B despite a turgid goalless draw against the USA, gaining momentum by brushing aside both Iran and Wales.
Team News:
England:
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.
France:
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.
England vs France: Head to Head:
The last time England met France in a major tournament was at Euro 2012, in a game that ended in a 1-1 draw. Prior to that, France defeated the Three Lions in the opening game for both sides at Euro 2004. To find the last competitive victory for England over France, you have to go back to the 1982 World Cup.
The last meeting outright between these sides came in a friendly in the summer of 2017. France ran out 3-2 winners despite falling behind and also having Raphael Varane sent off.
England are currently the joint top scorers at this tournament with 12 goals to their name, but Gareth Southgate’s side haven’t relied on just one player to score. Eight different players have found the net for England, with Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford scoring three each.
Predicted Line-ups:
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 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.
ENG vs FRA: Dream11 Predictions:
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