The Tipster Wizard picks out a bet builder and an anytime goalscorer shout for England vs DR Congo.
Bet Builder (England v DR Congo) - 1pt
1st selection: England Win
England head into this last-16 tie as one of the strongest favourites to lift the World Cup and have arguably been handed one of the more favourable routes to the semi-finals. Thomas Tuchel's side opened the tournament with an impressive 4-2 victory over Croatia before producing a professional 2-0 win over Panama.
Their only stumble came in a frustrating 0-0 draw against Ghana, who defended exceptionally well in a deep, compact low block and made life difficult throughout. DR Congo are expected to employ a very similar game plan, prioritising defensive solidity and looking to frustrate England for as long as possible.
Despite that, England possess the individual quality to break down even the most stubborn defences. With match-winners such as Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka capable of producing moments of brilliance, I expect Tuchel's men to eventually find the breakthrough and progress to the quarter-finals.
2nd Selection: Under 4 goals
While England should have enough quality to win, this doesn't look like a fixture that is likely to produce a high-scoring contest.
DR Congo have already shown how difficult they are to break down against stronger opposition, drawing 1-1 with Portugal before narrowly losing 1-0 to Colombia. On both occasions they defended with discipline, sitting deep in a compact low block and limiting clear-cut opportunities.
Having seen Ghana successfully frustrate England in the group stage, Congo are likely to adopt a similar approach once again. That tactical setup should naturally slow the game down and reduce the number of goals.
The numbers also support a lower-scoring affair, with eight of England's last nine matches producing fewer than four goals. England should ultimately have enough to get the job done, but another controlled rather than emphatic victory appears the most likely outcome.
Jude Bellingham - Anytime Goalscorer
Advised Stake: 0.25pts
Best odds: 16/5 (AK Bets)
Jude Bellingham has thrived in a more advanced midfield role under Thomas Tuchel and has already scored twice in his three World Cup appearances. His ability to arrive late into the penalty area, strike from distance and dominate aerially at set pieces makes him a constant attacking threat.
Against a DR Congo side expected to defend deep for long periods, Bellingham's knack for finding space around the edge of the box and attacking crosses could prove decisive. At odds of 12/5, he looks generously priced to add to his tournament tally.
