World Cup 2022

England head to Qatar looking to make that third and final step to glory under Gareth Southgate. After reaching the World Cup semi finals in 2018 and the European Championship final last year, the Three Lions are now looking to lift the trophy. 

But expectations have been tainted in the build-up to the tournament. England are six competitive games without a win and have been relegated from their Nations League group. 

Who is the England manager?

Gareth Southgate has been England manager since being promoted from the under-21 set up in 2016. On the whole he has done a remarkable job in bringing belief and joy to the national team yet he has also come under criticism in recent times for failing to let his talented bunch off the leash.

Southgate was a defender by trade and it seems this does impact on how he sets up a team. He seems wedded to using a back three. The style of play is often reactive rather than putting the opposition on the back foot, and whilst there is no doubt he is a deep thinker, who has great personal skills and is clear about how he believes any game should be approached, he is under pressure to show more of an attacking mind.

What tactics can we expect from them at the World Cup?

Southgate’s outlook is that a tournament winning team is based on a strong defence. That’s been a strength of both reigning World Champions France and European champions Italy, after all.

At the last World Cup England’s tactics came in the form of a 3-5-2 yet that has reverted to a 3-4-3. Generally England have an approach that is seen as solid, reactive and cagey but there is hope among English football fans that he will show more versatility in Qatar, perhaps adapting the team shape depending on the opponent. There is a chance Southgate decides to turn to a 4-2-3-1.

 

Part of England’s problem right now though is the lack of faith in the players at the heart of the back line. Harry Maguire’s form has been a significant problem and will undoubtedly impact on whether Southgate feels confident enough to trust him as part of a two-man combination in the centre.

The run up to Qatar has also posed new questions as injuries have impacted the thought process. Kyle Walker and Reece James suffered setbacks that complicates Southgate’s ability to play three at the back.

The reason for this is that the right sided CB is used as a recovery runner and one on one expert - and the key trait is speed. Without either James or Walker, it is difficult to see how his set up works as effectively. 

We also know that getting attacking players into the final third will be key to England’s success. If England do persist in a 3-4-3 then the role of the full-backs will be extremely important - but they have also lost Ben Chilwell to injury. 

Who are the players to watch for England?

The intrigue in terms of players to watch comes in the form of the young talent breaking into this side. Many will want Bukayo Saka to get game-time but it might be that Jude Bellingham has the best chance of making an impact.

The Declan Rice-Kalvin Phillips midfield combination has been broken up as the Manchester City man has struggled for fitness since joining them from Leeds United and this is where opportunity knocks for Bellingham.

At Borussia Dortmund he has stamped his authority in such a manner that he has been captaining the team at the age of 19. He has shown the temperament to complement his ability and will bring energy and dynamism to the middle of the park.

Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Harry Kane provide the core threat in this team and in terms of goals Kane has a record that very few nations can match.

Who is favourite to be top scorer for England?

From 75 international appearances, Harry Kane (9/1 favourite to win the Golden Boot in Qatar) has racked up 51 goals - he stands two strikes behind Wayne Rooney in the all-time goalscoring list for England and will expect to achieve that feat in Qatar.

At the European Championship Kane did not score in the group stage but then scored four in three games across knockout matches against Germany, Ukraine and Denmark. He did not score in the final against Italy.

At the 2018 World Cup he scored two against Tunisia and three against Panama in the groups, but then only scored once more before England were eliminated in the semi-finals by Croatia.

How did England qualify for the World Cup?

England won their UEFA qualifying group by remaining unbeaten in Group I. Their record was more than impressive - eight wins, two draws, 39 scored and just three conceded. It was a pretty easy group, so it was as expected.

But 15 of their goals came against San Marino, while another 7 came versus Albania. England finished six points clear of Poland, who they beat 2-1 at home and drew 1-1 with away. We know England have the potential to go all the way at this tournament and that is the aim. But it is decision making on and off the pitch that will determine their fate.

What are the ambitions for this England team?

Southgate says he wants to play an attacking style of play in Qatar and believes the character shown in that 3-3 Germany game will be something we see more of when the tournament begins.

England are good at tournament football these days. Judging them on their Nations League failure is ultimately a pointless exercise and as the World Cup begins we can expect a different mentality.

The opponents in the group stages are Iran, USA and Wales. England are expected to top Group B and - on the surface - should have confidence.

England’s downfall in the past has mainly been that they have been caught out against technically gifted teams. Croatia outpassed them in the semi-final in Russia and Italy’s superior mindset and game plan upset the Three Lions at Wembley. 

England World Cup Odds

You can get England at 8/1 to win the World Cup. There will be boosts on these prices before the tournament so do check oddschecker for the latest offers.

This is a big tournament for Southgate to once again prove his doubters wrong. It’s a huge opportunity for England to win a trophy for the first time since 1966. 

They are capable of doing it. It’s just slightly difficult to believe that they believe they can do it.

England World Cup prediction from oddschecker

England should have no problems in winning Group B, which would put them on collision course with the runners up from Group A at the Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, on Sunday 4th December. Netherlands are expected to win Group A, which would leave Qatar, Senegal and Ecuador vying for second place. 

However, we think the England journey could end at the quarter-final stage, where Southgate's side are likely to run into world champions France, should Les Bleus top their group and overcome Argentina, Mexico or Poland in the last 16.