France
France reached the last four with a ruthless, counter attacking approach built around Kylian Mbappe, who arrives level at the top of the scoring charts and has the clearest personal incentive to perform in this one. In my opinion Deschamps will still want to finish third and is likely to keep Mbappe and Michael Olise involved, even if he freshens up elsewhere after a demanding run to the semi-finals. Aurelien Tchouameni has been managing a groin problem through the knockouts, so some rotation in midfield would be no surprise. My read on this is that France carry too much attacking quality for England if Mbappe starts and stays switched on.
Predicted Lineup: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Digne; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Mbappe.
England
England showed real resilience under Thomas Tuchel throughout the knockouts, riding the brilliance of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, but they conceded in every knockout game and looked vulnerable at the back – never more so than in the dying minutes against Argentina in the semi-final. Reece James has battled a hamstring issue and Jarrell Quansah an ankle problem earlier in the run, so Tuchel may protect some players and rotate for this game. From my point of view the attacking talent is there to hurt any defence, yet the same defensive frailties that undid England in the semi-final remain a genuine worry. I expect goals at both ends if both managers send out adventurous sides.
Predicted Lineup: Pickford; James, Stones, Guehi, Spence; Rice, Anderson; Rogers, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
