All three of England’s World Cup games have been draws at half-time
Fourteen of England's last 15 wins have been accompanied by clean sheets
Recommended Bet: Draw-England half-time/full-time
Score prediction: England 2-0 DR Congo
Date, kick-off time, stadium, competition
Wednesday, July 1, 17:00 BST, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta - World Cup Round of 32
Where to watch
BBC One & BBC iPlayer
Outright odds
England - 7/1 DR Congo - 400/1
The latest England v DR Congo odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team News
Declan Rice is expected to return to England’s midfield after missing the 2-0 win over Panama but there are major doubts over Reece James and Jarell Quansah, so Djed Spence may start at right-back.
Bukayo Saka should get the nod on the right wing over Noni Madueke while Marcus Rashford may be preferred to Anthony Gordon on the left.
There are no reported injuries for DR Congo but Fiston Mayele scored from the bench against Uzbekistan and may push Cedric Bakambu for the starting berth up top.
The stats
England have kept clean sheets in 12 of their last 13 competitive games, shutting out Ghana and Panama in their final two group games.
The Three Lions have opened the scoring in 13 of their last 14 competitive matches but they have been level at half-time in each of their last four outings.
Fifteen of DR Congo's last 16 matches have featured three or fewer goals and they have won only one of their last five fixtures.
There have been two or fewer goals in seven of England’s last nine games and 14 of their last 15 wins have been accompanied by clean sheets.
Both teams have scored in only three of DR Congo’s last nine matches while the net has bulged at both ends in only two of England’s last 13 outings.
The latest England v DR Congo odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
England are still considered one of the leading contenders at the World Cup but performances have dipped on the back of their 4-2 win over Croatia in their Group L curtain-raiser.
The Three Lions produced a free-flowing attacking display against the Croatians, blowing the Blazers away in a dominant 15-minute spell having been drawing 2-2 at half-time.
That fixture played into England’s hands, though, as Croatia were happy to roll the dice but Thomas Tuchel’s team have found it tougher breaking down opposition deploying a low-block.
A lacklustre goalless draw against Ghana followed that high-scoring victory over Croatia while the 2-0 win over Panama required goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane after the hour mark.
DR Congo will be wary of being picked off if they go toe-to-toe with England’s array of superstars, so frustrating them for as long as possible and playing for the counter-attack will be the aim, and they did hold a star-studded Portugal to a 1-1 draw in the group stages.
The African nation were beaten 1-0 by Group K winners Colombia but that took a 76th-minute winner from Daniel Munoz and it may take time for England to stamp their authority against plucky opponents.
Score prediction: England 2-0 DR Congo
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England vs DR Congo Predictions Line-ups
England (4-2-3-1) J. Pickford; D. Spence, E. Konsa, M. Guéhi, N. O'Reilly; E. Anderson, D. Rice; B. Saka, J. Bellingham, M. Rashford; H. Kane
DR Congo (5-3-2) L. Mpasi; A. Wan-Bissaka, C. Mbemba, A. Tuanzebe, S. Kapuadi, A. Masuaku; S. Moutoussamy, N. Sadiki, Edo Kayembe; Y. Wissa, C. Bakambu
England vs DR Congo Bet Builder Player Picks
Harry Kane over 4.5 shots — odds @7/4 - Harry Kane has taken 4.4 shots per game at this tournament and with England on the front foot, he will likely fire off a number of efforts here.
Yoane Wissa over 0.5 shots on target — odds @27/25 - Newcastle striker Wissa is DR Congo's main man in attack and is more than capable of hitting the target.
Arthur Masuaku to be shown a card — odds @29/10 - Masuaku can expect a testing afternoon against the likes of Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, and the defender's discipline will be severely tested.
Jude Bellingham to register an assist — odds @7/2 - Bellingham and Harry Kane have built up a strong partnership, as was shown against Panama, and the Real Madrid man can once again provide the creativity England require.
Edo Kayembe over 1.5 fouls — odds @11/10 - Watford midfielder Kayembe is expected to return to the side to add some midfield muscle. He conceded five fouls across his two appearances at the World Cup.
England vs DR Congo Bet Builders
Bet Builder 1 — 11/1
Under 2.5 goals - England will face a defensive DR Congo and a low-scoring win could be on the cards.
England to win to nil - England are more than capable of keeping it tight at the back while sealing the win to progress.
Jude Bellingham over 0.5 shots on target - Alongside Kane, Bellingham is England's most potent attacking weapon and the attacking midfielder can get an effort on target.
Harry Kane anytime goalscorer - England's record goalscorer can add to his impressive World Cup tally in this clash.
Bet Builder 2 — 9/1
Double Result - Draw / England - England can progress to the last 16 but patience in breaking down a stubborn DR Congo may be required.
Under 3.5 cards - Just seven cards combined have been handed to these two teams in their six matches and the referees appear reluctant to take down names.
Edo Kayembe over 1.5 fouls - Kayembe will have a tough afternoon up against Jude Bellingham and he could resort to foul means to stop the England man.
Jude Bellingham to score or assist - Bellingham has been involved in three of England's five goals and backing him to continue that impressive form appeals.
Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
England to win | 6/25 |
Draw | 4/1 |
DR Congo to win | 23/2 |
