England vs. France, Neymar injury watch, Monday’s best bets

France and England, two heavyweights with an extended historical past will take the stage on Dec. 10 to determine who goes into the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup. There is little to separate the 2 groups after they despatched Poland and Senegal packing within the spherical of 16. Both groups boast superstars, established veterans and footballing heritage.

There’s some extent to show for each, as effectively, with England seeking to finish their trophy drought operating again to 1966 after they final lifted the world title, and France, defending champions, searching for to change into the one workforce aside from Brazil to retain the championship.

Be certain to verify in with ESPN all through the match as we convey you the most recent from Qatar. Here’s what you might need missed from Sunday’s World Cup happenings, and a sit up for Monday for what’s subsequent.

– World Cup information, options, previews and extra
– Stream FC Daily and Futbol Americas on ESPN+

England vs. France showdown

We are in for an exhilarating match when European champions England will tackle present World Cup title holders France on Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. ET. Gareth Southgate’s aspect are unbeaten in Qatar, and beneath the top coach, England are but to lose in 90 minutes of main match soccer. Their emphatic 3-0 win in opposition to Senegal exhibits how cohesive, efficient and harmful this aspect are. Will they have the ability to overcome the world champions?

France boasts one of many best gamers on this planet in Kylian Mbappe, who leads the match with 5 objectives. Despite lacking Karim Benzema, Christopher Nkunku, N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba to injury, Les Bleus are deadly within the attacking third and need to make a deep run within the match. Didier Deschamps’ aspect cruised previous Poland to advance to the quarterfinals, and can face a a lot harder opposition within the Three Lions.

– World Cup bracket: England, France arrange QF match

England are spoiled with selections in virtually each place, particularly assault, with the likes of Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka, to call a number of. What will likely be of nice curiosity and deliberation is how Southgate will arrange his protection and midfield to smother the risk from Mbappe. Will Kyle Walker have the ability to cease the PSG celebrity?

France and England will face off for the thirty second time, with the English main the collection 17-5-9. The earlier World Cup ties between the 2 went to England, who gained in 1966 and 1982. However, this would be the first assembly between them within the knockout stage of a significant match.

Could this be a conflict for the ages?

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Gab Marcotti and Craig Burley reward Olivier Giroud after he grew to become France’s all-time high males’s scorer.

Will Neymar be prepared for South Korea conflict?

Brazil coach Tite stated that if coaching for Neymar on Sunday goes effectively, he will likely be out there for the conflict in opposition to South Korea on Monday. Neymar injured his proper ankle within the opening match in opposition to Serbia, which they gained 2-0.

“Today has become one of the hardest moments in my career,” said Neymar on Instagram after his injury.

The PSG participant offers the artistic spark to Brazil’s assault and is essential to their World Cup hopes, and his teammates alongside followers world wide will hope he’s totally match to face Son Heung Min and Co. Without Neymar, Brazil gained in opposition to Switzerland and misplaced in opposition to Cameroon.

“He will practice this afternoon, and if everything is okay, he will play,” Tite stated at a information convention on Sunday. “Neymar being on the lineup depends on the medical department clearing that.”

The Selecao have suffered two extra injury setbacks with each striker Gabriel Jesus and defender Alex Telles dominated out of the remainder of the match, however stay the favorites to raise the trophy given the squad depth and attacking assets. Will they raise the World Cup trophy for a document sixth time?

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Julien Laurens explains his concern for Neymar after seeing the most recent photos of his injured ankle.

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Today’s high reads

Brazil nonetheless tinkering with attacking choices
Are Brazil capable of subject two wingers with a centre-forward and nonetheless preserve defensive solidity whereas they do it?

You cannot win a World Cup if you cannot rating objectives
The US all the time boast about hanging with large groups on the World Cup as an alternative of beating them. For that to vary, the USA should rating objectives.

Relentless strain earned Japan two well-known wins. Will Croatia be No. 3?
No workforce had ever overwhelmed Germany and Spain in the identical World Cup till Japan did so within the group stage. Can they re-create the magic in opposition to Croatia?

Your best bets (odds through Caesars Sportsbook)

If you are seeking to guess on the World Cup, ESPN contributors Paul Carr, Dan Thomas and Dalen Cuff are right here to offer you key tips about odds, choices and futures. Here’s what we’ve for Monday’s matches.

Japan (+275) vs. Croatia (+107), Draw (+220)

Paul Carr: The underlying numbers for Japan and Croatia are very related to date, and no workforce has made higher second-half changes than Japan, who got here from behind to beat each Germany and Spain. I’m banking on that once more, and the truth that Croatia’s lack of a dependable striker will proceed to be a difficulty. I like Japan to advance at +150.

Dan Thomas: This is a very tough one to name. As I end result, I’ll sit on the fence and go for a draw after 90 minutes.

Dalen Cuff: Japan has two of probably the most spectacular wins within the tourney, coming from behind to beat each Germany and Spain. I feel this will likely be a great, entertaining recreation however I’m not prepared to play a aspect. I like each groups to attain (+105).

Brazil (-390) vs. South Korea (+1200), Draw (+430)

Carr: Obviously this can be a lengthy shot, however given all of Brazil’s accidents, I do not thoughts South Korea to advance at +550. I additionally just like the first-half draw at +130. All three of Brazil’s group video games had been 0-0 on the half, and I like having the cushion of a 1-1 rating in case the sport opens up.

Thomas: Neymar being again within the beginning 11 will convey Brazil again to full power. I feel this will likely be comfy for the favorites. I’ll again a 3-0 win.

Cuff: I’m on Brazil to win all of it, and I’m not backing off that. However, they haven’t been as dynamic within the assault as I anticipated, even excluding that final group recreation the place they performed what was basically a B-team. Coupled with the accidents, I feel that whereas they win this recreation, there may be worth in South Korea +1.5 objectives (+105).

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Mark Ogden offers his evaluation on the best gamers in Qatar to date.

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News and notes

• Jadon Sancho has been ignored of Manchester United’s workforce for his or her coaching camp in Spain and can practice individually, the membership have confirmed. Erik ten Hag and squad will journey to southern Spain for video games in opposition to LaLiga sides Cadiz and Real Betis. However Sancho, who has spent the World Cup break working with coaches within the Netherlands beneficial by Ten Hag, isn’t going. United will resume their home season with a Carabao Cup match in opposition to Burnley at Old Trafford on Dec. 21, simply three days after the World Cup ultimate, and return to Premier League motion in opposition to Nottingham Forest on Dec. 27.

• Arsene Wenger insinuated that groups which made political statements early within the World Cup noticed their on-field efficiency endure consequently. Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, spoke at a media briefing for FIFA’s Technical Study Group, during which he and Jurgen Klinsmann shared the group’s findings from the group stage. It was a transparent reference to Germany, who Wenger didn’t point out by identify and who misplaced their opening recreation to Japan, earlier than which the gamers positioned their palms over their mouths through the pregame on-field photograph.

• Wenger additionally talked about that FIFA’s ultimate choice has not but been made on the format for the 2026 World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. in 2017, the FIFA council voted to extend the scale of the World Cup and accepted a format which might see the 48 groups divided into 16 teams of three groups — with the highest two going by to a spherical of 32. But this is able to imply the 2 groups within the ultimate group fixture may play out a particular end result to ship each groups by on the expense of the workforce not taking part in, and this has led to a rethink. “This is not decided,” Wenger stated. “but it will be 16 groups of three, 12 groups of four, or two sides of six groups of four — like you organise two 24 teams.”