Morocco vs. Portugal (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
As the field continues to narrow and the World Cup trophy comes closer into sight, trailblazers Morocco meet quarter-final opponents Portugal at Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday.
Now set to battle it out for a place in the final four, the Atlas Lions held off Spain before emphatically winning on penalties to reach this stage for the first time, while the Selecao were a side transformed as they slayed Switzerland in the last 16.
We say: Morocco 0-1 Portugal
When these nations last locked horns at the World Cup finals, Morocco emerged 3-1 victors back in 1986, but some 36 years later the scoreline could be very different.
Even the Atlas Lions' fierce defensive commitment surely cannot keep one of the tournament's most potent teams at bay for 120 minutes, and one of Portugal's cast of rising stars - or perhaps even a wily old head - will find a way to seal a spot in the semi-finals.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Morocco could line up against Portugal
> How Portugal could line up against Morocco
England vs. France (Saturday, 7.00pm)
© Reuters
It's Coming Home or Allez Les Bleus will be ringing around the Al Bayt Stadium at the full-time whistle on Saturday evening, as England battle France in their World Cup 2022 quarter-final.
The Three Lions put three past Senegal without reply to advance to the last eight, while the reigning champions overcame Poland 3-1 to keep their hopes of back-to-back titles alive.
We say: England 1-3 France
The longer this quarter-final goes on, the more it will benefit England, who have an abundance of attacking talent on the bench waiting to make a difference against tired French legs.
On the other hand, Southgate's side have not exploded out of the blocks in their last three World Cup encounters, and the clinical pairing of Mbappe and Giroud will need no second invitation to take advantage of another slow start.
The result of Saturday's game could come down to how well the respective nations can contain Mbappe and Bellingham's star qualities, but we are struggling to see a way for England to prevail and can only envisage France sending the Three Lions home empty-handed again.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How France could line up against England
> How England could line up against France
Ben Knapton
