England vs DR Congo Predictions - BTTS Yes as Three Lions down The Leopards

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

John Eastwood 1 hour ago

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England are expected to win, but DR Congo likely to score.
Both teams predicted to get on the scoresheet (BTTS Yes).
England tipped for a narrow 2-1 victory in a tough match.

England backed to reach the last-16 with a win over DR Congo (Getty Images).

England vs DR Congo Predictions

This is a tough game for a labouring England side. I see the Three Lions progressing with both teams on target in 90 minutes.
England vs DR Congo Predictions
Key Stats
Head to Head
England Form
DR Congo Form
England vs DR Congo News & Predicted Lineups

Key Stats

England have won 10 of their last 11 competitive matches (excludes friendlies).
DR Congo have lost 2 of their last 4 matches.
DR Congo have seen BTTS Yes in 3 of their last 4 matches.

Head to Head

This is the first time that these two nations are meeting.

England Form

England reached the last-32 after finishing top of Group L. They qualified for the tournament after winning all of their qualifying games without conceding a goal.

Coming into the World Cup, they beat New Zealand 1-0 and Costa Rica 3-0 in two friendly internationals. The tournament began with a 4-2 win over Croatia twice being pegged back at 1-0 up and 2-1 up.

A 0-0 draw vs Ghana came despite having 78% possession, whilst England were fortunate not to concede a late penalty. Their final group match saw a 2-0 win over Panama after struggling for the opening hour.

DR Congo Form

The Leopards reached the World Cup by beating Jamaica 1-0 in a playoff. They drew 0-0 vs Denmark and lost 2-1 to Chile in two pre-tournament friendlies.

They began this tournament with a fine 1-1 draw vs Portugal. DR Congo had just 25% of the ball but only allowed their opponents to produce 0.65 xG and seven shots.

After losing 1-0 to Colombia (after being outshot 20-7), they faced a must-win final match in Group K. After trailing 1-0, they roared back to win 3-1 thanks to three goals after the 67-minute mark.

England vs DR Congo News & Predicted Lineups

Thomas Tuchel is set to be without Reece James at right back. Jarrel Quansah is another doubt in defence due to injury.

Djed Spence may be given the nod in James’ place for this one. Declan Rice is set to return to the starting XI whilst Marcus Rashford may keep his place down the left.

England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Stones, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane.

DR Congo have a clean bill of health. Coach Sebastien Desabre will lean heavily on his players with English Premier League experience.

Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa is key in attack and scored three goals in the Group Stage. Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka both represented England up to under-21 level.

DR Congo (4-4-2): Mpasi-Nzau; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Masuaku; Mbuku, Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Cipenga; Wissa, Bakambu.