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Recommended bets
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Match preview
Will England march on into the World Cup quarter-finals, or can Senegal cause a massive shock in Al Khor?
The Three Lions ended the group stages with seven points, one of just three sides, alongwith Netherlands and Morocco, to reach that tally.
Either-side of a turgid goalless draw with USA, Gareth Southgate’s team swatted aside IR Iran 6-2 and then Wales 3-0.
Marcus Rashford bagging a brace in the latter on Tuesday, with Phil Foden netting the other.
So, this is the first time England have topped a World Cup group since 2006, and is their highest-scoring group campaign ever; the previous was record eight, achieved at Euro 2004 and in 2018.
In more good news, they are unbeaten against African sides, winning 14 of 20 internationals, including World Cup victories over Tunisia (twice), Egypt and Cameroon.
Senegal though have become a force to be reckoned with under Aliou Cissé.
Since his appointment in 2015, they’ve qualified for back-to-back World Cups and featured in successive AFCON finals, claiming that trophy for the very first time back in February.
In Qatar, the Lions of Teranga have reached the knockout phase of this tournament after a 20 year absence, doing so on debut, with Cissé in the team, in Korea and Japan back then.
This time round, they’ve recovered well after losing their opener against the Netherlands, conceding twice late on.
Four days later, Senegal swatted aside a hopeless Qatar team, but still needed to beat Ecuador in their last group game to advance.
Ismaïla Sarr broke the deadlock from the penalty spot and then, mere seconds after Ecuador equalised, Kalidou Koulibaly volleyed home a stunning winner.
Thus, the African champions will believe they can cause an upset as they prepare to face England for the first time ever.
Who will prevail at Al-Bayt Stadium, thereby setting up a quarter-final clash with France or Poland?
England team news
Gareth Southgate rotated his team a bit against Wales, so now has some tough selection decisions.
Kyle Walker managed 57 minutes in that game, his first appearance since 2 October, so it’ll be interesting to see if Kieran Trippier returns at right-back.
The rest of the back four, he’s unlikely to switch to a three, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are all assured of their places.
Out-wide, Marcus Rashford’s double on Tuesday could see him get the nod over Raheem Sterling.
Clamour’s Phil Foden also got a goal against Wales, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Bukayo Saka, who netted two against Iran, and Mason Mount return here.
Captain Kane is yet to get off the mark at this tournament, but did score a header against Édouard Mendy back in August.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Trippier, Maguire, Stones, Shaw; Rice, Bellingham, Mount, Saka, Rashford; Kane.
Senegal team news
Senegal are without two of their three most important players for this huge occasion.
Sadio Mané was ruled out pre-tournament after surgery, while Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye is suspended, having picked up his second booking of the tournament on Tuesday.
So, Leicester’s Nampalys Mendy will fill-in for the latter, completing the trio alongside Pape Gueye and Pathé Ciss.
Captain Kalidou Koulibaly will win his 68th cap, the most of any player likely to start this game for the African champions.
Up front, in Mané’s absence, Ismaïla Sarr of Watford has really come to the fore, netting the crucial opener against Ecuador.
Iliman Ndiaye, who was plying his trade in England’s sixth-tier for Hyde Town just over two years ago, and Boulaye Dia are set to complete the attack.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): É Mendy; Sabaly, Koulibaly, Diallo, Jakobs; Ciss, N Mendy, Pape Gueye; Sarr, Ndiaye, Dia.
England vs Senegal: Head to head statistics
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