England face Senegal for the first time as the two teams compete for a spot in the Quarter finals
England and Senegal cross-swords for the first time vying for a quarter final spot in Qatar as both teams continue their quest for silverware.
In 2018, the Three Lions were handed an embarrassing defeat by Croatia in the semi-finals, a feat Gareth Southgate would look to improve as his team enters the knockout stage.
The Three Lions had a scintillating start to their World Cup campaign brushing aside Iran in their opening fixture. But a goalless draw against USA raised a few eyebrows on England’s attacking intent before those speculations were put to bed in a 3-0 routing of Wales.
Now Gareth Southgate would once again want his forward battery to go all guns blazing when they encounter the African side. The Three Lions haven’t lost a competitive game against an African outfit in their past 20 meetings and would once again be favourites going into this round of 16 match.
With Southgate and co. carrying the hopes of a billion British fans, the mixture of youth and experience could be the reason why England are the favorites going into the fixture.
The reigning African champions should not be taken as a light opposition by their European counterparts. Despite losing their opening match to Netherlands, Senegal outperformed Qatar and Ecuador in their next games to secure a round of 16 ticket.
And although they are without their talismanic striker Sadio Mane, the Lions of Teranga have shown resilience and strength in Qatar.
In the previous knockout encounters between African and European teams, the latter have almost emerged victorious every time with only exception being a Senegalese win against Sweden. Cisse and Senegal would want to repeat the past and provide another upset in the Middle East.
England vs Senegal probable line-ups
England XI (4-3-3): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Henderson, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Foden
Senegal XI (4-3-3): E. Mendy; Sabaly, Koulibaly, Diallo, Jakobs; P. Gueye, N. Mendy, Ciss; Ndiaye, Dia, I. Sarr
England vs Senegal LIVE updates
England and Senegal’s next World Cup fixture
The winner of this round of 16 match will lock horns with France in the Quarter finals in Qatar.
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