A mouthwatering QF clash as we look at the best predicted starting lineup and key details for England vs France for FIFA World Cup 2022.
After almost 3 weeks of action-packed matches, we have our 8 quarterfinalists for the FIFA World Cup 2022. There are some mouthwatering matches to come with England vs France Quarter-final blockbuster clash being the most awaited one.
It would be difficult to pick an outright winner given the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. France have been excellent so far, but the only concern with France’s team is that they are too much dependent on their star player Mbappe for goal-scoring opportunities.
Although Giroud has played his part, other stars like Griezmann and Dembele are yet to show their full potential. We have only seen a glimpse of what they can offer on the field, and the French team will need their all cylinders to fire against a quality team like England.
On the other hand, England are not relying on one or two players in this World Cup and have different stars rising to the occasion when needed. The English team has so much firepower in their tank in form of Kane, Foden, Saka, and Rashford to name a few. The best part about this English team is that they have a settled defence that will be tested against the man of the tournament so far Kylian Mbappe.
History
England certainly have the upper hand if we look at overall numbers. But things are different if we look at encounters played in the 21st century with France winning 4 times and losing only once against their quarterfinal opponents.
In FIFA World Cup, they will be facing each other first time in the knockout stage. They have faced each other twice. Once in 1966 group stage in which England won 2-0 and later on became champions in the same campaign. The last they faced each other in World Cup was in 1982 and England won that too with a scoreline of 3-1.
Games Played: 31 // England won: 17 // France won: 9 // Draw: 5
The game between these two well build sides will be of small margins and the team which will handle the pressure well will come out on top on Saturday evening, as it is hard to separate them out based on talent and quality. So, as we wait for the match to begin, let’s look at the best fantasy lineup for England vs France QF4 for FIFA World Cup 2022.
Match Details:
Tournament: FIFA World Cup 2022
Match Type: England vs France QF4
Stadium: Al Bayt
When: December 10, 7 pm GMT (0.30 am IST on Dec 11)
Squad Details:
England Squad:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kyle Walker, Luke Shaw, Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eric Dier, Conor Coady, Ben White
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, James Maddison, Conor Gallagher
Forwards: Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish, Callum Wilson
Manager: Gareth Southgate
Current Form (Recent first): W W D
France Squad:
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris, Alphonse Areola, Steve Mandanda
Defenders: Benjamin Pavard, Jules Kounde, Raphael Varane, Theo Hernandez, Lucas Hernandez, Benoit Badiashile, Ferland Mendy, Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate, William Saliba
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Youssouf Fofana, Matteo Guendouzi, Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot, Jordan Veretout
Forwards: Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, Randal Kolo Muani, Kingsley Coman,
Manager: Didier Deschamps
Current Form (Recent first): W L W
Predicting Starting 11 for both Teams
FIFA World Cup 2022: England vs France Predicted Starting 11 for England
England is coming to this game with 3 consecutive clean sheets. They only conceded in the opening match against Iran which they won with a scoreline of 6-2. Their defense and midfield look settled. Gareth Southgate has trusted his back four and they have returned his faith so far.
England’s defense is well supported by defensive midfielders Rice and well-experienced Jordan Henderson. But their real test will be against the quality attack of France. In the attacking front, Midfielder Jude Bellingham has made great partnerships with attacking players like Foden and Kane. Southgate has tried different combinations in attack, but it looks like he will start with in-form Foden, Saka, and Kane in the quarterfinals.
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
Defense: Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kyle Walker
Midfield: Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson
Attack: Phil Foden, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka
Formation: 4-3-3
FIFA World Cup 2022: England vs France Predicted Starting 11 for France
Didier Deschamps has preferred a 4-2-3-1 formation in this World Cup. He has played the same team against two quality opponents Denmark in the group stage and Poland in the round of 16. We expect France to go with the same lineup against England in the quarterfinals.
There were minor injury concerns to Mbappe, but he is back at training. With Griezmann not in his best form in this World Cup, French hopes will lie on Mbappe’s shoulders. Olivier Giroud will start at the no. 9 position while Marcus Thuram and Kingsley Coman are expected to start from the bench.
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris
Defense: Theo Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano, Raphael Varane, Jules Kounde
Midfield: Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni
Attack: Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud
Formation: 4-2-3-1
FIFA World Cup 2022: England vs France Fantasy Lineup
Based on current goal-scoring or assist-providing form Mbappe, Kane, Bellingham, and Giroud are must-haves in fantasy 11. Apart from them, Foden and Saka both are playmakers of the English side, and are great fantasy picks.
Our defensive preferences are based on chances created upfront so far in the tournament. Shaw, Hernandez, and Walker all have an eye for creating chances. They are threats during dead balls and can score through corners & free kicks.
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris
Defenders: Luke Shaw, Theo Hernandez, Raphael Varane, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka
Forwards: Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Olivier Giroud
CVC Choice: Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane
Thanks for reading! What’s your take on the England vs France QF4 starting lineup of FIFA World Cup 2022? Please email your thoughts to footbalyticsofficial@gmail.com
ALSO READ: FIFA World Cup 2022: Combined Best Playing 11 for Group Stage
Akshay is an author at Footbalytics. His love for football started way back in 1998 when Ronaldo (Not Cristiano) was his first football hero, and the list keeps getting longer ever since.
Though Akshay is a Teacher by profession, he firmly believes that there is no better classroom than the Sports field and no better Teacher than Sports.