England vs France prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for World Cup 2022 quarterfinal clash

Matches at major tournaments don’t get much bigger than this, as England take on France at the quarterfinal stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

A matchup that is potentially big enough for a World Cup final itself, let alone a last-eight clash, this tie should deliver plenty of action, as two of the free-scoring sides at the tournament meet. 

As well as the overall tactical battle, there will be plenty of individual clashes between world-class stars, including Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe.

Who will win the midfield battle between Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni? And who can lock down the opposition’s attack between Manchester duo John Stones and Raphael Varane? 

Take a look at the picks we’ve selected below for this heavyweight World Cup matchup. 

MORE: When is England vs France at World Cup? Date, time, early odds and history

England vs France betting odds

It may be not too surprising given that they are the current World Cup champions, but the bookmakers give France the slight edge here over England. 

That’s understandable, given their pedigree of late in major tournaments, but this England side reached the semifinals of this competition in 2018, and then followed that up with a final appearance in the delayed Euro 2020 last year. 

As such, they’ll prove no pushovers here — especially given the way they’ve performed under manager Gareth Southgate in big matches.

That said, when you have a red-hot Kylian Mbappe amongst your squad — who currently leads the tournament Golden Boot race with five goals and two assists — as France do, you are always likely to be the favourites. 

Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Ladbrokes (Australia).

A reminder: All moneyline bets in soccer are for regulation time only, regardless of competition. If the match requires a winner and goes to extra-time or penalties, a moneyline bet of a regulation draw is successful and the rest of play does not factor in.

England vs France: 3 things to know

These two teams last met in a competitive environment back at Euro 2012, when they played out a 1-1 draw in the group stage, via goals from Joleon Lescott and Samir Nasri.

The last time one side beat the other in a competitive match, France topped England 2-1 in Euro 2004, though they last met at a World Cup in 1982, with England winning 3-1.

England vs France team news

The biggest question for England will be the status of Raheem Sterling, who travelled home to care for his family after a burglary at his residence. It’s unclear whether Sterling will rejoin the squad in Qatar, and that decision will likely be made on a day-by-day basis.

Also back home is Ben White, who is dealing with an undisclosed personal matter. Striker Callum Wilson is dealing with a muscle injury, but the expectation is that it’s a minor problem and he should be available for this one. 

France had plenty of pre-tournament injury issues to contend with, as Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, Christopher Nkunku, Mike Maignan, and Presnel Kimpembe all found themselves unfit for service, but since the start of the competition they’ve enjoyed a mostly clean bill of health.

Only Lucas Hernandez is no longer available from the final France roster, having torn his ACL in the opening match, but his brother Theo Hernandez has filled in admirably at left-back and has been one of France’s best performers.

MORE: Full injury tracker for all 32 teams at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

England vs France key stats

• England hold the upper hand in terms of winning record across previous meetings between these two sides. The Three Lions have won 17 of the 31 meetings, including both prior clashes at the World Cup.
   
• Five of the seven meetings between these two sides this century have witnessed both teams getting on the scoresheet. 
   
• This will be the first meeting between England and France during the knockout stages of the men’s World Cup.
   
• At the 2022 World Cup, England are scoring at an average of three goals per match — the highest tally in the competition. 

• Last time out vs Poland, Kylian Mbappe become the first French player in history to score four or more goals in consecutive World Cup tournaments. 

England vs France match facts

• Date: Saturday, December 10
• Kickoff Time: 14:00 ET / 19:00 GMT / 06:00 AEDT (Sun, Dec. 11)
• Location: Al Bayt Stadium

England vs France prediction

• Moneyline lean: France to win (+138)
• Against the spread lean: France -0.5 (+125)
• Score prediction: England 1-2 France (after extra time)

Although England have some of the best young players in world football, France are rightly the favourites to progress in this tie, thanks mostly to their experience advantage. 

The majority of their squad tasted success in lifting the World Cup four years, while the majority have also enjoyed success in club football. 

That’ll likely give them the mental edge here, on top of the fact that they have some of the best attacking players in the world at their disposal. 

Kylian Mbappe is in fantastic form, netting five tournament goals so far to lead the Golden Boot race, but players like Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann shouldn’t be underestimated. At this tournament, Giroud has overtaken Thierry Henry’s all-time goalscoring tally for Les Bleus, while Griezmann has been in scintillating playmaking form, creating 15 chances so far, which is the most of any player in the competition. 

England will find joy though. Jude Bellingham has shown his dominating form in the middle of the park so far, and given that he broke his tournament duck last time out against Senegal, marksman Harry Kane will be keen to add to his goal total here.

Kane’s link-up play will continue to be dangerous for the French too, as he remains the only player in the tournament with three assists to his name. 

MORE: France’s route to 2022 World Cup final: Who will Les Bleus face in quarterfinals and beyond?

England vs France: Best bet

• Pick: Over 2.5 goals scored
• Odds: +115 (BetMGM)

Two of the highest-scoring teams at the 2022 World Cup face off here and we expect their free-scoring form to bring this bet home. 

Mbappe and Co. have quite rightly stolen the majority of headlines but England too have one of the most exciting frontlines in international football. 

As well as Tottenham talisman Harry Kane — who took home the 2018 World Cup Golden Boot award with six goals — Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka have all found the back of the net for the Three Lions thus far. 

2 – Phil Foden (22y 190d) is the youngest player to make two assists in a #FIFAWorldCup knockout stage game since Ronaldo for Brazil in 1998 (21y 284d v Denmark). Mercurial. pic.twitter.com/lHGNe2LUpn

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 4, 2022

They’ve also been aided by goals from midfielders Bellingham and Jordan Henderson, who have helped England to net 12 times so far, the most of any side in the tournament. 

England vs France prop bet

• Pick: Under 9.5 corners in regular time 
• Odds: -190 (BetMGM)

We’re expecting a tight, cagey affair here which should lead to a severe lack of corners in regular time, and at -190, there’s a little bit of value to be had here. 

So far, under 9.5 corners have been taken in three of England’s four 2022 World Cup outings, including their last-16 clash against Senegal.

Similarly, France’s knockout match vs Poland also saw under 9.5 corners awarded, despite Didier Deschamps’ side dominating for large spells of the game. 

England vs France flier bet

• Pick: France to win the game during extra time 
• Odds: +900 (BetMGM)

At +900, picking France to win in extra time could be the way to go here for some really nice value. 

So far, England have kept three clean sheets, the most of any side at the tournament, and as such, they’ll be much more difficult to break down than any of France’s opponents so far. 

That said, England suffered heartbreak during extra time at the last World Cup, when they were knocked out at the semifinal stage by Croatia. 

The Three Lions have the firepower to stick with France through regular time, but Deschamps’ side have character and experience that we think will see them claim the victory during extra time here. 

England vs France live stream, TV channel

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