I think England will finally have a decent game and we'll get through to the semis, sending the country back into fever pitch. 2-1

Just seen Vini jr is suspended for Brazils quarter.

Good summary DJ

Colombia, Uruguay and Argentina are all class sides playing very well, 3 worthy semi finalists. I expect Venezuela to join them - but you never know, Canada are a difficult side to compete with.

I think Germany progress on pens, just a gut feeling.

I think France win in ET

I think the Dutch win comfortably

So my only difference to your prediction is I think England will get through. For all our faults and there are many, I expect Southgate to play it very safe again on Saturday and I do not believe we will give Switzerland the space that Italy gave them. I chalk that performance up to a 50/50 of Switzerland playing well and Italy performing horribly.

England haven’t been great, but I think we will make it a tight turgid affair and get a 1-0 win.

comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 10 seconds ago
Just seen Vini jr is suspended for Brazils quarter.
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They aren’t beating Uruguay anyway - they are craaaap at the moment

Just checked William Hill, you can get just over 10/1 for all of Germany, France, Uruguay and Venezuela to progress

good article DJ

Our progress I think hinges on Xhaka's injury. If he's out, I think we go through. He pulls all the strings for the Swiss. They're screwed without him. If he plays my head says we're going out.

There are two ways of looking at it.

1. We have a fortunate draw and we're building our way into form at the right time.

2. We've not played anyone decent yet and haven't improved in any of the four games.

Anyone thinking rationally knows that 2 is the only true statement. It's similar to the 2010 World Cup. We won one game, drew two and limped into the next round and then got destroyed by the Germans. Everyone seems to think that as the tournament goes on we'll get more space in behind to create so it'll suit us more. That statement only makes sense if we utterly dominated the ball in our previous 4 games and came up against a low block. We haven't. We've relinquished control in each of those games so this isn't suddenly going to correct itself by playing a bigger side. What's more likely is that we'll just sit deeper and concede more. Everyone appears to be hailing our defence without considering that we've played four teams who are reasonably blunt up top. We're nowhere near as solid as people think we are.

Switzerland 2-0 England
They'll score early and as the game gets stretched whilst we try for an equaliser, they'll seal it on the break.

I don't have much confidence in England's ability to progress, but teams that try to attack us more proactively will probably create a bit more space for our talented front four to exploit. Above all, we've struggled to break down well organised low / mid blocks and looked vulnerable to counter-attacks. The better teams will present different challenges.

England to knick it 2-1

comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 2 hours, 6 minutes ago
Our progress I think hinges on Xhaka's injury. If he's out, I think we go through. He pulls all the strings for the Swiss. They're screwed without him. If he plays my head says we're going out.

There are two ways of looking at it.

1. We have a fortunate draw and we're building our way into form at the right time.

2. We've not played anyone decent yet and haven't improved in any of the four games.

Anyone thinking rationally knows that 2 is the only true statement. It's similar to the 2010 World Cup. We won one game, drew two and limped into the next round and then got destroyed by the Germans. Everyone seems to think that as the tournament goes on we'll get more space in behind to create so it'll suit us more. That statement only makes sense if we utterly dominated the ball in our previous 4 games and came up against a low block. We haven't. We've relinquished control in each of those games so this isn't suddenly going to correct itself by playing a bigger side. What's more likely is that we'll just sit deeper and concede more. Everyone appears to be hailing our defence without considering that we've played four teams who are reasonably blunt up top. We're nowhere near as solid as people think we are.

Switzerland 2-0 England
They'll score early and as the game gets stretched whilst we try for an equaliser, they'll seal it on the break.
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Xhaka has been passed fit - but you do wonder if he is somewhat diminished.

My confidence is A) Southgate has to make a change as Guehi is injured B) he finally started using subs against Slovakia C) Luke Shaw is ready D) Bellinghams belief is back

It will be dull, but I think we 1-0 it and play the Dutch in the Semis

On the England and Switzerland game I'm going to remain neutral.

comment by Diafol Coch 77 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (U2462)
posted 1 hour, 25 minutes ago
On the England and Switzerland game I'm going to remain neutral.
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As a Scot with an English wife, I have to try to remain neutral for every Eng game, tricky as that is.

Suspect Eng will spawn their way through again TBH, and probably again in the semis … if it’s against the Dutch anyway. If it’s against Turkey then Southgate should definitely get a lottery ticket on.

I will go for Spain V Port, Eng V Turk.

I feel the football gods have lined up Pepe v Yamal, I still feel Eng are going to make it to the final, and Turk will be the surprise semi-finalist which you normally get at least one of at every tourney.