England play their biggest game of football for 12 years on Tuesday night when they take on Colombia in the last 16 of the World Cup in Russia with a quarter final spot against Sweden or Switzerland on the line.
Colombia came from the clouds to end up winning Group H while England made out that they were desperate to win Group G but have shown no real disappointment in not doing so. I guess the path back to Moscow might be a reason for that.
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Colombia
The South Americans might be underrated going into this match. I say that because they have two wins from three in the group stage which doesn’t sound or even look that great but we will never know if they could have beaten Japan in their opening game because they were reduced to 10 men so early on.
One thing we do know is that since then they have not put a foot wrong and what I actually admire about them is that even when they did not need to win against Senegal to make it through to this stage they still went out and got the victory which highlights a ruthless determination. They look very good going forward but slightly vulnerable at the back.
England
One of the biggest surprises of the tournament has been the fluency and attacking intention that England have played with. It might be that they played two poor sides in their first two matches in the tournament but they displayed an aesthetically pleasing style and one which if employed at this stage of the tournament could make them very dangerous.
With any attacking intention comes a defensive vulnerability and England certainly have that but they are also the only team we’ve seen in the tournament so far to come out of the traps fast in every match they have played. If they can get in front in a knockout match they control their own destiny which is massive.
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Team News
The indications are that James Rodriguez is going to be fit to start the match after all although he will be monitored right up until the start of the match. Wilmar Barrios could come back into the side if Colombia go with two defensive midfielders.
England are expected to recall Dele Alli and go in with a similar side to the one which opened up the tournament against Tunisia which means Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be used as a substitute. Kyle Walker will be back in the heart of the defence.
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Betting
I think as fans most are expecting a tight and tense game here but much of that is down to nerves about England’s poor record in knockout football but I don’t see their players thinking that way. They have embraced this tournament with their belief as well as their play and I’m sure they will attack this and have no fear. I don’t see Colombia going into a shell either and even if they do they will always be dangerous on the counter attack. We keep waiting for this amazing tournament to tighten up but it continues to show no signs of doing so therefore I’ll play the strong odds against on both teams to score.
I’ll also go with a smaller bet on England to score twice or more in the 90 minutes. Colombia’s best defender is Davinson Sanchez but he’s also a liability waiting to happen and if anyone knows how to expose him it will be his club mates Harry Kane and Dele Alli. While Colombia have done well to come through they haven’t faced a dynamic attack yet and yet Ospina has had to make a number of saves in the tournament. If England expose Sanchez they could well find the net a couple of times.
Tips
WON – Back Both teams to score for a 4/10 stake at 2.25 with William Hill
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Back England – Over 1.5 goals for a 3/10 stake at 2.63 with Coral
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