England vs France predictions: Laura Woods ‘believes’ in Three Lions as Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Kyle Walker tipped to stun Kylian Mbappe’s Les Bleus in World Cup quarter-final

England face their biggest test since Italy visited Wembley, with France standing in their way of a place in the World Cup last four.

The reigning world champions are aiming to become the team since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cups, while England are determined to get their hands on the trophy again, 56 years since they last did.

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It’s Kylian Mbappe vs Kyle Walker, Harry Kane against Raphael Varane and Jude Bellingham going head to head with Antoine Griezmann. Who will triumph - live on talkSPORT?

Here, talkSPORT’s finest make their predictions.

Laura Woods: talkSPORT Breakfast host - England to win

A huge quarter-final. Despite the fact this will be the biggest test for this England side under Gareth Southgate, I just have a lot of belief in this England side.

I think they are playing with a lot of confidence and togetherness, even more so than what we saw at the Euros.

I know everyone expects goals because defence is probably the weakest part of both of those teams but I think it will be a little bit more cagey than that.

I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think we’ll see as much free flowing football as we’d love. I hope Harry Maguire has a good game and Kyle Walker keeps Kylian Mbappe quiet and I think England could do it - I’ve got the belief!

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Which England player has impressed you the most?

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I know everyone will say Jude Bellingham and I’m in total agreement, but Phil Foden has really impressed me. Previously, perhaps he hasn’t shone in an England shirt, especially not in the way we know he can by watching that Man City team so he’s really impressed. So has Marcus Rashford and our subs on the bench - being able to have five could be the biggest difference against France. The bench is phenomenal.

Prediction: England 2-1 France

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Stuart Pearce: England legend and marvelbet369.commentator - England to win

I’m looking forward to the game. For me, the difference will be which defence handles the opposition forward line best.

Which England player has impressed you the most?

It’s easy to say Jude Bellingham and one or two others but I’m going for Harry Maguire. He went into the tournament with not a wealth of support from the outside world about his inclusion in the squad and team. But he has been arguably one of our most consistent players. To play under that much pressure takes some doing, the manager has backed him and has been right to do so. If he has another solid game then we could be in the semi-finals.

Prediction: England 2-1 France (in extra-time)

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Ally McCoist: talkSPORT Breakfast host and Scotland’s 1990 World Cup striker

I’m very much looking forward to the game, but it is so difficult to call. There’s not a lot between the two sides and if I was going to be brutally honest it’s two teams I thought would do well at the start of the tournament.

I think the wide areas is where the games will be won and lost and I don’t necessarily mean Kylian Mbappe and Kyle Walker because the other side will be equally important in Ousmane Dembele and Luke Shaw. In those wide areas, England could pose problems for the French lads and I think England are better in midfield, which I know is quite a statement. But I think Jude Bellingham has been excellent as has Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice.

Which England player has impressed you the most?

Harry Maguire has been really consistent, but Jordan Pickford has done everything asked of him with great saves in key moments. However, Jude Bellingham is an obvious one and gives that extra special something.

Prediction: Penalties - then it’s anybodies

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Alan Brazil: talkSPORT Breakfast host and former Scotland international

I think it’s very tight, it most likely will go to penalties - I have no idea who is going to have the bottle to take them. It wouldn’t surprise me if England just fail if it goes to penalties. But with the type of form England are in, Jude Bellingham has been brilliant from deep, or maybe a Harry Maguire set piece could win it - he’s been great so far.

It could be anyone’s in penalties, maybe Jordan Pickford could be the star. It could just come down to the goalkeepers, who has the luck and who makes the saves.

Which England player has impressed you the most?

I hope Harry Kane will turn up and of course Jude Bellingham has been fantastic but maybe it’s Declan Rice’s turn to shine.

Prediction: Penalties - it’s anyones

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Gabby Agbonlahor: talkSPORT host and Aston Villa’s record Premier League scorer

Ousmane Dembele, for me, will be the star player for France but England has something about them now where they’ve got a great group of players. Their team spirit is high so England can most definitely win.

Who has impressed you the most?

For me it’s got to be Bukayo Saka. I’m not too sure, full-back wise, France are great. Theo Hernandez play’s as left-back and he hasn’t been a great defender so I think Saka will shine and use his speed. He’s on form and still on for the golden boot.

Prediction: England 1-0 France

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Ray Parlour: Arsenal Invincible and former England international

Everyone will be looking at Kylian Mbappe but I think we can handle him. I think England need to be really worried about Antoine Griezmann. He gets into their pockets and he could make a difference for France. But, I’m going to go for a 90 minute draw with England to possibly get a goal in extra time.

Which England player has impressed you the most?

For me, it has to be Harry Kane. He scored his first goal in the tournament against Senegal and he will definitely score again against France.

Prediction: England 2-1 France (extra time)

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Jim White: talkSPORT host

There’s so much emphasis on Mbappe. We spoke to Lille defender Jose Fonte, who has defended against him many times and told us ‘You never know what you’re going to get.’ He will be a box of tricks, so will Antoine Griezmann. But the Mbappe factor is significant and, while I think England will score, France will shade it.

Which England player has impressed you the most?

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Jude Bellingham. I was at all the England group stage games and watched him closely. I’d seen him in action before quite a while ago at The Den when he was playing for Birmingham against Millwall. He was outstanding and I thought ‘My God, we have a major prospect here.’ He has just shone at the World Cup and is the name on everyone’s lips, evidenced by PSG owner saying everyone would want him, including them.

Prediction: England 1-2 France