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No surprises

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 The round of 32 is marking a new phase in the tournament, and after the helter-skelter of the group stages, it is going very much to plan so far. With Netherlands, Argentina, France and England all winning in line with broad expectation, the round is looking like it is going to be one of whittling down. I am expecting all of the results to go the way of expectation, and leaving us with a very strong set of quarter finals. 

That would see Croatia, Brazil, Spain and Portugal making up the rest of the quarter-finalists - which even without Belgium and Germany is a pretty mighty, mouth-watering prospect. I'd say Japan and Switzerland probably have the best chance of causing an upset, but I think their races are run now.

I've already made my plans to go out into the world on Wednesday, when there's finally a day without a game, but certainly by the time football returns on Friday, I will be ready. In fact, thinking about it - maybe I'll use those two days to catch up on the 23 NFL games that have been building up on my recordings list during the World Cup. Too. Much. Sport. 

Whilst I'm thinking about the quarter finals, its worth a word or two about England. Another impressive display has predictably raised the "it's coming home"  hype, but what a battle we will face against Mbappe and France. I feel our chances hinge almost entirely on the Southgate dilemma. If he reverts to type and switches to three-at-the-back, then I thin we're doomed. We'll invite on the pressure and Mbappe will get the chance he needs to punish us. Those finishes against Poland were so, so, sweet. But if Southgate can fight his instinct and continue with our midfield line-up then we have a massive chance to win. Rice, Hendo and Bellingham is looking like a real formula. Rice has been impeccable. Always positioned wisely, he applies a vice-like grip to that midfield. Hendo is freed to be a bit more marauding, which harks back to his Sunderland days, and Bellingham is just Bellingham. What a player he is. Effortless, pacey, direct and a big old unit too. A dream of a player, and the prospect of him in potentially 5 more major tournaments before he hits 30 is very promising indeed.  England put simply, look very, very good. 


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