On Sunday night, England and Senegal face off in the last 16 of the World Cup, with both teams eying a place in the last eight of the competition.
England form guideGareth Southgate’s team finished top of Group B, picking up seven points from their three group games. England were joint top goalscorers in the group stages alongside Spain, having scored nine goals.
A 3-0 win over neighbours Wales in their final group game saw England score at least three goals for the third time in four internationals. England has won just two of their last nine international matches despite being on a four-game unbeaten run.
The Three Lions have a slightly inconsistent recent record in the World Cup, although they have suffered just one defeat in their last five games in the competition.
Senegal form guideAliou Cisse’s team qualified for the knockout stages by finishing second place in Group A, having recorded two victories. They kicked off their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat against the Netherlands before victories over Qatar and Ecuador. The defeat against the Oranje was their only loss in seven international matches. The Lions of Teranga are certainly not a team to take lightly.
Senegal’s recent record in the World Cup is a mixed one, but the win over hosts Qatar in their second group game ended a three-match winless run in the competition.
Latest team newsArsenal defender Ben White has left the England squad for personal reasons, so they will not feature for the rest of the tournament. The likes of Bukayo Saka and Kalvin Phillips will be hopeful of a return to the starting eleven.
Senegal will be missing Everton’s defensive midfielder Idrissa Gueye due to suspension. Cheikhou Kouyate is an injury doubt, as he was stretchered off against the Netherlands and not featured in their last two games.
What am I backing?Senegal has impressed in their last two games, but England are a step up in terms of quality from Qatar and Ecuador. Gareth Southgate’s team have looked dangerous in attack in two of their three games in Qatar. I am backing the Three Lions to secure a narrow, possibly hard-fought victory.
