England vs France – Quarter-Final – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup

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THE FACTS

When is England vs France on and what time does it start? England vs France will take place on Saturday 10^th December, 2022 – 19:00 (UK)

Where is England vs France taking place? England vs France will take place at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar

Where can I get tickets for England vs France? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for England vs France

What channel is England vs France on in the UK? England vs France will be televised live on ITV

Where can I stream England vs France in the UK? England vs France can be streamed live on the ITV Hub

THE LOWDOWN

ENGLAND

• Gareth Southgate faces a big decision on whether to deploy a back three for this quarter-final, but after the 4-3-3 formation worked so well in England’s 3-0 triumph over Senegal in the round of 16, the Three Lions boss is likely to stick with this against France with the in-form Jordan Henderson starting once again in central midfield.
• Raheem Sterling is set to return to the England camp after having to fly back home following a break-in at his house which saw him miss the round of 16, but the chances of Sterling being thrown in from the start here are slim, such is the form of both Foden and Saka.

FRANCE

• France remain on course to retain the World Cup and Kylian Mbappe remains on course to cement his legacy as the planet’s best player right now, recording two goals and an assist in Les Bleus’ victory over Poland, setting up this blockbuster quarter-final.
• Didier Deschamps is not expected to make any chances to his side, with Theo Hernandez continuing to deputise for injured brother Lucas, although right-back Benjamin Pavard could stand a chance of displacing Jules Kounde.

THE TEAM NEWS

ENGLAND

PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Henderson, Bellingham, Rice; Saka, Kane, Foden

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE: Rice (Illness)

FRANCE

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud

UNAVAILABLE: L. Hernandez (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE:

THE KEY STATS

• England won each of the previous two FIFA World Cup matches between these two nations; 2-0 in the group stage in 1966 and 3-1 in the group stage at the 1982 finals
• England are aiming to reach the back-to-back FIFA World Cup semi-finals for the first time
• England have been successful in only one of their last five World Cup knockout stage ties against European nations
• This is England’s tenth FIFA World Cup quarter-final; they have been successful in only three of their previous nine World Cup quarter-final ties
• England have kept a clean sheet in three successive FIFA World Cup matches for the first time since 2002. Their best sequence of clean sheets is four which they achieved in 1966 and 1982
• England have now scored 12 goals at Qatar 2022 this equals their best ever tally in a World Cup final competition which they previously achieved in 2018
• Harry Kane is just one goal away from equalling Wayne Rooney’s international record of 53 goals scored for England
• This is Gareth Southgate’s 12th World Cup match as the coach of England, he is now level with Bobby Robson. Only Walter Winterbottom (14) has coached the nation in more World Cup matches
• France have been successful in five of their previous seven FIFA World Cup quarter-finals ties
• France have been successful in 14 of their last 16 FIFA World Cup knockout round ties (including one penalty shootout win)
• France have been successful in eight of their previous ten FIFA World Cup knockout round ties against European nations
• France have kept a clean sheet in four of their last six World Cup quarter-final matches
• France have won nine of their last 11 FIFA World Cup matches (D1 L1)
• Against Poland, Olivier Giroud became France's all-time top goalscorer with 52 international goals
• Against Poland, Hugo Lloris made his 142nd appearance for France and in doing so he equalled Lilian Thuram’s all-time appearance record for the nation
• Hugo Lloris has joined Thierry Henry and Fabien Barthez as all-time leading appearance-maker for France in FIFA World Cup history with 17 appearances
• The last time that France were involved in extra-time in a World Cup match was in the 2006 final against Italy
• Kylian Mbappé has now scored nine goals in 11 FIFA World Cup matches (4 goals in 2018, 5 goals in 2022 so far)

THE PREDICTION

Of all four quarter-finals, this is arguably the most anticipated between two teams who have looked so impressive across the World Cup so far. England’s last big step under Southgate that they have failed to take as of yet, ultimately costing them the chance of winning any trophies has been the ability to beat the very best teams in major competition. Whilst France can call upon the most destructive player in Mbappe, England you could argue, boast the stronger all-round side with injuries having restricted Deschamps’ selections across the tournament. It would be no surprise to see both teams perhaps deploy a more conservative game-plan to counter the attacking riches that each possess. With that in mind, separating the two is very difficult and backing this quarter-final to finish a draw in 90 minutes, therefore being decided via extra time or penalties may prove a shrewd play.

TIP: DRAW