Is football coming home? England must overcome DR Congo in the round of 32 to keep their hopes of a first World Cup win since 1966 alive. Here’s a 13/2 bet builder for tonight’s game in Atlanta.
- Half-Time Draw/England Full-Time
- Under 3.5 Goals
- Harry Kane Anytime Goalscorer
- ODDS: 13/2
– England vs DR Congo – All markets.
England vs DR Congo Match Details & Preview
Date: Wednesday, July 1
Kick-off: 17:00
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Stage of Competition: Round of 32
TV channel: RTE 2 & RTE Player, BBC One & iPlayer
– View our complete FIFA World Cup Guide.
England will be hoping to hit their stride in the knockout stages as they head to Atlanta to face a DR Congo side making history in this competition. Despite topping Group L with a 2-0 win over Panama on matchday three, the Three Lions rarely convinced during the group phase, leaving questions over whether they can reach a fifth consecutive major tournament quarter-final.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have nevertheless built a strong record when the stakes are highest, winning 10 of their 11 competitive matches under the German (D1). The only blemish came in a group-stage draw against Ghana, while African opposition account for half of England’s four matches without victory since Tuchel’s appointment (W13, D2, L2).
Defensive solidity has underpinned their success too, with 14 of England’s last 15 victories coming alongside a clean sheet. This will be the first-ever meeting between the nations, although England have won both of their previous World Cup knockout ties against African opposition.
DR Congo are already enjoying a landmark tournament, reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time after finishing third in Group K. A decisive 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan on the final matchday secured their passage as the highest-ranked third-placed side, while an opening draw with Portugal demonstrated they are capable of frustrating elite European opposition.
Although the Leopards have managed just one win in their last five matches (D2, L2), they are a notoriously difficult side to break down, having not lost a competitive match by more than a single goal since March 2022. England will start as favourites, but DR Congo have already shown they possess the resilience to make life uncomfortable for more fancied opponents.
With a view to the recommended bet builder, England are often slow starters with six of England’s last eight goals having been scored after half-time. An early DR Congo goal also seems unlikely given the African side have not scored before the 30-minute mark in any of their last ten matches.
Generally, the last 32 matches at this World Cup have been cautious and cagey affairs and this latest knockout match may follow that pattern. Seven of England’s last nine matches have produced under 2.5 goals, while thirteen of DR Congo’s last 16 matches have also produced fewer than three goals.
Harry Kane became England’s outright leading World Cup goalscorer with his strike against Panama (11 goals) and the Bayern Munich striker will be the player England turn to when the heat is on in this competition.
Team News & Predicted Line-ups
England have been dealt another defensive setback ahead of this tie, with Jarell Quansah forced off through injury against Panama. His absence further compounds Thomas Tuchel’s problems at right-back, with Reece James also unavailable.
In contrast, DR Congo appear to have a fully fit squad to choose from, with no fresh injury or suspension concerns ahead of their historic first World Cup knockout match.
England XI (Predicted): Jordan Pickford, Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Nico O’Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane.
DR Congo XI (Predicted): Lionel Mpasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, Steve Kapuadi, Arthur Masuaku, Noah Sadiki, Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe, Yoane Wissa, Cédric Bakambu
England vs DR Congo Recommended Bet Builder
- Half-Time Draw/England Full-Time
- Under 3.5 Goals
- Harry Kane Anytime Goalscorer
- ODDS: 13/2
– More World Cup Betting markets.
