The stage is set for this World Cup battle at the Al Bayt Stadium at 7pm (GMT) between England and Senegal in the knockout round.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides.
After falling short in the final at Euro 2020 – Gareth Southgate’s men have plenty of points to prove in their quest for World Cup glory.
If history is to play a role in the outcome of this match – England should not be looking back in time.
The 1966 champions are notoriously poor in World Cup last-16 ties – reaching the quarter finals on only nine occasions including two fourth place finishes.
Last time out – the Three Lions produced an impressive 3-0 win against Wales following two superb goals from Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and a close-range strike from Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
The Three Lions topped group B after two impressive wins against Iran and Wales while faltering against USA in a goalless draw.
Senegal (The Lions of Teranga) were hard done by against the Netherlands in their opening match after creating numerous chances before succumbing to two late goals from the Dutch.
Captain Kalidou Koulibaly came to the rescue with a late goal in a winner-takes-all encounter with Ecuador to secure a place in the knockouts as group A runners-up.
Arsenal defender Ben White has returned home to the UK due to personal reasons.
Other than White’s departure – the Three Lions are expected to have a fully fit squad with Kyle Walker and Marcus Rashford expected to start.
Phil Foden repaid Southgate’s faith with a fine finish at the far post against Wales but is expected to miss out on a place in the starting 11.
Harry Maguire’s dominance at the back has been a surprise so far after appearing only four times for Manchester United this season.
The Three Lions captain Harry Kane has yet to find a breakthrough in front of goal.
Southgate is anticipated to adopt a 4-3-3 formation for this clash differing from his 4-1-2-3 system against Robert Page’s Wales.
The African champions are not to be underestimated as they are not short of Premier League experience – including Chelsea duo Kalidou Koulibaly and Eduoard Mendy.
Aliou Cissé became the first Senegal manager to win the Africa Cup of Nations in February 2022 having been in the role for a lengthy seven years.
The former Birmingham City and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Cissé will lead his side into just their second World Cup knockout round.
Statistics wise – African teams have fallen short in eight of their last nine knockout encounters against European teams.
Senegal will be without talisman Sadio Mané due to a knee injury ruling him out of the tournament.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye will also miss out after picking up a second booking of the tournament against Ecuador.
England are odds on favourites with the bookies – often referred to as the kiss of death.
The winner will meet either France or Poland in the quarter finals.
France and Poland will face off at 3pm (GMT) on Sunday.
It will undoubtedly be a tough and fierce battle but England should have enough excellence in attack to see off the African champions.
England predicted line-up:
Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Henderson, Bellingham; Rashford, Kane, Sterling.
Senegal possible line-up:
Mendy; Sabaly, Koulibaly, Diallo, Jakobs; Ciss, P. Gueye; Diatta; Ndiaye, Sarr; Dia.
Platform Magazine prediction:
England 3-2 Senegal.
Lead image: Kelvin Stuttard via Pixaby.