Sportsmail’s experts predict the outcome as England take on the world champions 


A narrow French win, a five-goal thriller and England to win on PENALTIES… Sportsmail’s experts make their predictions for England’s World Cup quarter-final with France

Saturday night sees Gareth Southgate lead his England team out for a World Cup quarter-final clash with France in Qatar. 

It will be the first time the two sides have met in a tournament since a 1-1 Group Stage draw at Euro 2012, and it sees two of the favourites go head-to-head for a place in the semi-finals.

Sportsmail’s team give their predictions on what they see happening in the titanic tussle at the Al Bayt Stadium.

England face France in what is Gareth Southgate’s toughest knockout game so far as boss 

MARTIN KEOWN

England 3-2 France

England have enough talent to go all the way at this World Cup, as do France. That makes this a mouth-watering match which could go either way. I’m predicting a goal-filled thriller.

CHRIS SUTTON

England 1-2 France

Can England win tonight? Yes. Will we? I don’t think so, as much as that pains me to say it. France were my pick to win this World Cup prior to the tournament’s start, while I said England would get as far as the quarter-finals. I hope I’m wrong and it’s the other way around!

BRYAN ROBSON 

England 1-0 France

The key figures will be Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson. The focus is on how Kyle Walker keeps Kylian Mbappe on his left foot in the final third, but Rice or Henderson will have to double up to nullify the threat on the flank or through the middle. Their concentration and energy will be tested to the hilt.

Bryan Robson says that Jordan Henderson could be key in stopping the France threats

Bryan Robson says that Jordan Henderson could be key in stopping the France threats 

IAN LADYMAN 

England 1-2 France

England will have to find their best performance of the Gareth Southgate era to win and I don’t think they have quite enough. They have not had to defend for long periods yet in this World Cup, but that is about to change.

IAN HERBERT

England 3-2 France

It is tough to see past Mbappe inflicting some damage, but the individual talents of Southgate’s side are capable of troubling a vulnerable French defence on a night to remember.

All eyes will be on Kylian Mbappe and whether he can add to the five goals he's already scored

All eyes will be on Kylian Mbappe and whether he can add to the five goals he’s already scored 

DOMINIC KING 

England 1-2 France

I’d be delighted to be wrong, but my nagging suspicion is France have a little extra in reserve.

SAMI MOKBEL

England 1-1 France (ENGLAND WIN ON PENALTIES)

It is hard to see France not scoring, but England’s attack will cause problems, too. It will be tight and tense, but England will squeeze through.



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