ALEX CROOK PREVIEW: England v DR Congo

England kick-off their World Cup knockout campaign with a potentially tricky clash with DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday, writes ALEX CROOK.

The Three Lions had to be patient before wrapping up top spot in Group L with a Jude Bellingham inspired two-nil victory over Panama in New Jersey.

Once again, England’s performance was far from five-star, but they would not be the first country to feel their way into a World Cup before going deep into the draw.

The win over the Panamanians means Thomas Tuchel still has a near perfect record in competitive matches, with 10 victories and one draw in non-friendly games.

England have also kept 10 clean sheets in all but one of those games, although if they afford Congo the type of opportunities that Panama had at 0-0 then that record may well be under threat.

Tuchel also has injury problems in his back line to contend with Reece James again expected to be absent with his hamstring issue and replacement Jarrel Quansah also unlikely to be fit after hobbling off mid-way through the second half at the MetLife.

That is likely to mean Djed Spence, who started England’s second group game against Ghana at left back, shifting sides with Tuchel reluctant to dismantle what seems to be his first choice center-back pairing of Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi.

Further up the field, Declan Rice will return after sitting out against Panama to rest a troublesome calf injury, which will enable Jude Bellingham to take up a position in his more favored number 10 role.

Bellingham has been England’s star performer so far at this tournament and is 2/1 with starsports.bet to score at any time.

So, what of England’s opponents? Competing at only their second ever World Cup and their first as DR Congo, this is also the first time they have ever played a knockout game in the tournament.

There seems to be a genuine belief amongst their fans and ex-players alike that they can cause an upset, especially having held Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to an impressive draw in their opening game.

In Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Noah Sadiki and Yoane Wissa, in particular, they have plenty of players familiar with Premier League audiences.

Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi has also been one of their key men and will have to be to keep out the likes of Bellingham and Harry Kane, now England’s record World Cup goalscorer.

England have started slowly in each of the last two games and tend to score most of their goals after Tuchel has his half-time team talk.

With the Congolese also unlikely to be able to match England’s energy levels for the full 90+ minutes, the second half to have the most goals at 23/20 with starsports.bet appeals.

Finally, for my build-a-bet I like England to win the second half, Bellingham to score, England to have the most corners and Mpasi to make four or more saves which returns 7/1 with starsports.bet.

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📊 BUILD-A-BET: England to win the second half, Jude Bellingham to score, England to have the most corners and Lionel Mpasi to make four or more saves 1pt at 7/1 with starsports.bet

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