England tackle Cameroon looking to book a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
But Phil Neville’s Lionesses’ don’t have an easy task in front of them with Cameroon waiting for them in the Round of 16.
A late goal against New Zealand secured Cameroon’s passage into the knockout stages, but despite being a third place qualifier – England are expecting a tough, physical encounter.
“The African teams are unpredictable and unorthodox,” Bev Priestman, England’s assistant coach admitted.
“With Japan you knew exactly what you were going to get in terms of their structure. With an African team, they’re athletic [with] a lot of direct play and second-phase [football].
“It will be a totally different test to what we’ve faced [so far]. We’ve got to be prepared to take on that physical battle, but when we have the ball [we have to] really, really punish them.
“Hopefully we can do what we need to do.”
Cameroon coach Alain Djeumfa is hopeful his squad can pull of a shock.
“We’re entering a very important phase in this competition,” said Djeumfa,
“Often these knockout games come down to small details.”
We run through every game including predictions from former England, Crystal Palace and Tottenham midfielder Andy Gray, our own Football Insider Graeme Bailey and BoyleSports’ Lawrence Lyons.
England 16:30 Cameroon
Stade du Hainaut
KEY FACT: England have only ever reached the World Cup quarter-finals once before
MATCH ODDS: England 1/7 Draw 11/2 Cameroon 16/1
BoyleSports pick: England win & Both Teams To Score @ 21/10
ANDY SAYS: I don’t see too many issues here and England go through to the last eight…2-0
GRAEME SAYS: Cameroon are not great, England will go through with something to spare…3-1
