World Cup 2018: Colombia vs England prediction, team news, and preview as the Three Lions face tricky South Americans

ENGLAND headed to Russia with hopes of a first World Cup title since 1966 but with expectations that they could exit at the group stage once again, while Colombia showed off their attacking flair four years ago.

The Three Lions scraped past Tunisia, broke records against Panama before their second string became unstuck by Belgium to finish second in a group neither wanted to top. Yet, Harry Kane has breathed some fresh air with his tournament-leading five goals and now fans believe they can win it all.

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Meanwhile, the South Americans started off poorly by losing to Japan, but rallied to go through as winners. In Brazil, James Rodriguez had shone for the Cafeteros and the nation's hopes have rested on his shoulders.

The nation expects: England fans are not forgiving when it comes to tournament football and with a host of top nations already going out, they expect their boys to make the final at the least.

With teams like Sweden, Switzerland and Russia in their half of the draw, the Three Lions have their best chance to lift the trophy in 52 years.

Colombia will know they have not been at their best and with England looking deadly, a quarter-final spot would come as a bonus for them, especially with their star man likely to miss out.

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Key battles/ Star men: If anyone can guide England to glory right now, it is going to be Harry Kane as he looks at ease with the weight of nation on him.

From barely featuring for Barcelona last season, Yerry Mina has risen to the occasion and remained

solid in defence while chipping in with some important goals, while Radamel Falcao is finally beginning to enjoy playing at a World Cup.

Weakest links: When everyone is fit, England look like they can match any team on their day, but it is from the bench that will worry Gareth Southgate, as the backup side were unconvincing against Belgium.

While Juan Fernando Quintero has impressed, the rest of the Colombian midfield have been uninspiring and will be in danger of becoming overrun.

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Likely line-ups and Team Talk: Colombia know they have attacking talent to frighten any defence and Falcao will be raring to go after netting his first World Cup goal during the group stage, but they will be mindful that they will be underdogs with their star man, James Rodriguez, expected to miss the game.

Probable team: David Ospina; Santiago Arias, Yerry Mina, Davinson Sanchez, Johan Mojica; Carlos Sanchez, Mateus Uribe, Juan Fernando Quintero, Juan Cuadrado; Luis Muriel, Radamel Falcao

England will have the pressure that this is their best opportunity for go far in the World Cup, but will have to make sure they have not lost any momentum following their Belgium defeat.

Probable team: Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire; Kieran Trippier, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young; Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane

Tsar in the making: Juan Fernando Quintero has been linked with a move to the Premier League following his impressive performances in Russia. The Colombian midfielder has fallen off the radar after exploding onto the scene with Porto in 2013.

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Colombia excited neutrals with their attacking flair and creativity four years ago, as James Rodriguez netted six goals, including his stunner against Uruguay that became goal of the year in the Fifa awards.

While they finished top of their group, the South Americans have looked unconvincing and would need their biggest stars to step up to the plate and perform.

It is the exact opposite for England as they went home from Brazil in disgrace, finishing bottom in their group with just a single point, gained from a goalless draw against Costa Rica.

Fast forward to Russia and it is an entirely different Three Lions squad, with young talent mixing with world class stars who are regularly playing on the biggest stages.

Best bet: England will be favourites heading into this game, especially if Harry Kane can keep up his scoring record so far at the tournament. But are offering a massive 18/1 for the Three Lions to beat Colombia 3-1.

Opta Stats:

• England are unbeaten against Colombia, having faced them five times previously (W3 D2). Their last encounter dates back to May 2005 in New Jersey. England won 3-2 thanks to a Michael Owen hat-trick.
• England beat Colombia in their only previous World Cup encounter thanks to goals from Darren Anderton and David Beckham (2-0), it was in the group stages of the 1998 tournament. Current England boss Gareth Southgate was an unused sub that night.

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• Colombia have reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for the third time but it’s the first time they have accomplished it in consecutive tournaments (1990, 2014, 2018). The only previous occasion they’ve gone past the round of 16 was in 2014.
• Three of Colombia’s five goals at this year’s World Cup have come from set-pieces (two from corners, one from direct free-kick) whilst England scored more goals from dead ball situations than any other team in the group stages (6).
• Colombia have scored in each of their last eight World Cup games, the longest current run of any team as of the end of the 2018 group stages. The last time Colombia failed to find the net in the tournament was in June 1998 against England (0-2).
• None of Colombia’s 21 games at the World Cup has ended goalless. In fact, only the USA (33) and Austria (29) have played more games in the competition without ever registering a 0-0.

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• England have won only two of their last eight knockout games at the World Cup (v Denmark in 2002, v Ecuador in 2006). They had progressed in six of their eight previous games in the knockout phase.
• Since (and including) the 1966 World Cup final, 50% of England’s knockout games at the tournament have gone to extra-time (7 out of 14). Three have been decided by a penalty shoot-out, all lost by England (Germany 1990, Argentina 1998, Portugal 2006).
• England have only failed to score in one of their 18 knockout games at the World Cup, that was against Portugal in the 2006 quarter-finals (0-0 a.e.t, 1-3 on penalties).
• Harry Kane has played 153 minutes at the World Cup but already only Gary Lineker (10) has scored more times for England in the tournament than the Tottenham striker (5). If Kane finds the net against Colombia, he’ll become the first player to score in six consecutive games for the Three Lions since Tommy Lawton back in 1939.
• Juan Quintero has been directly involved in three of Colombia’s five goals at this World Cup, scoring in the first game and delivering an assist in the second and third game.
  
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