The knockouts are here - England v Senegal
The knockouts are underway and AFCON Champions Senegal face England in the quest to win the World Cup in Qatar.[fixture id=9854 btn label="Book Now"]
England return to the Al Bayt stadium for the third time to face Senegal. Knockout football is as exciting as it comes and both sides will be hoping for progression to face either Poland or France. A 7pm game on a Sunday isn't something we're used to, but there's no better place to be than our We Love Sport venues. We'll be showing the France v Poland game, so you can make a day of it!
What do we actually know about Senegal?
We all know Sadio Mane, but he missed the tournament through injury. Despite that, they're a team packed with talent, featuring 10 England based players including Chelsea pair Edouard Mendy & Kalidou Koulibaly. In fact, the whole squad is based in Europe. They got themselves through the group despite a bad start v the Netherlands. A win against Ecuador sealed their space in the Round of 16. People are looking past them and thinking about the French in the quarter finals, but Southgate and the boys know how dangerous they are.
What can we actually expect?
England are favourites and rightfully so. England have had two games where they were fantastically dominant and one where they were mediocre. Senegal haven't been incredibly impressive, but they've done what's required of them.
Senegal will be going for the kill like they have in all of their games so far, and this will lead to England having to stuff these attempts. Under Southgate, England have done quite a good job and stopping opponents dead in their tracks. However, against Wales, the attacking was fantastic after changing the front three. Qatar and Ecuador could both count themselves unlucky against Senegal and if England can get the right balance, they can be expecting to see the quarter finals.
Team News
Ben White has gone home due to personal reasons, but other than that everyone is available for England. Kalvin Phillips came on v Wales to help get him some match fitness. Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden have likely played their way into the side, the question is where.
Right back has been a tough one for Southgate for years. Kyle Walker returned v Wales after groin surgery. Trippier is much more attacking, but Walker defensively is sound and also incredibly quick. If England go through, they may be facing France. Kyle Walker is one of the only defenders who could keep up with Kylian Mbappe, so it can be expected he gets minutes v Senegal to get him more match fit in anticipation for that game.
Senegal are likely to play the side they faced Ecuador with, just without Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye who is suspended. The AFCON holders have the rest of their squad fit and available.
Predicted England line up (4-3-3); Pickford; Walker, Maguire, Stones, Shaw; Rice, Bellingham, Foden; Saka, Kane, Rashford
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Match Prediction It's a very intriguing game. A lot of it comes down to how Gareth Southgate plays it. Is he safe and secure like against USA, or does he set his side up to use their talents and take on Senegal like he did v Wales? Either way, we're predicting an England win, but it certainly won't be all England's way. Prediction: England 2-1 Senegal We Love Sport x World Cup The World Cup is the greatest tournament in the world, and the greatest place in the country to watch it is in any We Love Sport venue. Our venues are incredibly immersive and will give you that feel of being there live, just without the £11.50 pints. Make sure you grab a table for this game and click here to book for any game of the World Cup!