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Sunday's World Cup team news including England vs. Senegal

Sports Mole provides team news for all of today's World Cup fixtures, including France vs. Poland and England vs. Senegal.


France vs. Poland (Sunday, 3.00pm)

France players celebrate Kylian Mbappe's goal against Denmark on November 26, 2022© Reuters

After goalkeeper Alphonse Areola recovered from back trouble to make the bench against Tunisia, France boss Deschamps should be afforded the luxury of a fully-fit squad for Sunday's last-16 game - the ankle injury that Theo Hernandez sustained in training on Friday is not expected to rule him out.

A plethora of changes can be expected from the champions after Deschamps gave run-outs to several fringe players against Tunisia, with Mbappe, Griezmann, Dembele and Olivier Giroud - who needs one more goal to break Thierry Henry's men's record for the national team - all coming back in.

Neither Jordan Veretout nor Youssouf Fofana, the latter of whom stood still to remonstrate with the referee as Khazri charged past him to score, covered themselves in glory last time out, so Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot will return to the base of the midfield here.

As for Poland, Michniewicz also has all of his troops available for Sunday's knockout battle, although no fewer than six players would miss any potential quarter-final match if they are cautioned here.

Suspension concerns should not factor into the thinking of the Poland manager, who took off Przemyslaw Frankowski and Karol Swiderski at half time against Argentina, but the former should not be in any danger of losing his place.

However, Arkadiusz Milik and Krzysztof Piatek are both waiting in the wings to take the place of Swiderski alongside Robert Lewandowski in the final third.

Our tipster partners are predicting over 1.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> How Poland could line up against France

> How France could line up against Poland

> World Cup 2022: Reasons for Poland to be confident of beating France in last 16

> World Cup 2022: Reasons for France to be confident of beating Poland in last 16

> France vs. Poland: Why to expect a victory for the world champions on Sunday

> World Cup 2022: France vs. Poland head-to-head record


England vs. Senegal (Sunday, 7.00pm)

Phil Foden celebrates scoring for England against Wales with Jude Bellingham on November 29, 2022© Reuters

While Gareth Southgate inevitably enjoyed having his faith repaid by Kyle Walker, Phil Foden, Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford - all of whom were introduced to the starting XI against Wales - their success presents England's head coach with something of a quandary to resolve.

Not only will he consider returning Kieran Trippier, Bukayo Saka and long-time favourite Raheem Sterling to the lineup on Sunday, but there remains an outside possibility of switching from a back four to a flexible three-man defence.

In either case, Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham - who became the second-youngest English player to reach 20 senior caps last time out - should join Declan Rice and Henderson in a central-midfield trio. Both Kalvin Phillips and James Maddison remain short of full fitness.

Captain Harry Kane - Russia 2018's Golden Boot winner - still seeks his first goal at this year's finals, and will once more lead the Three Lions up front.

Meanwhile, Senegal must make their attempt to reach the final eight not only without injured talisman Sadio Mane but also his former club rival on Merseyside, Everton's Idrissa Gueye.

The midfield workhorse is suspended after receiving a second booking of the finals versus Ecuador, while Cheikhou Kouyate sustained an ankle injury in their first fixture and has since been ruled out of training. Nampalys Mendy of Leicester City should therefore deputise.

In Mane's glaring absence, Watford winger Ismaila Sarr and Sheffield United's Iliman Ndiaye have picked up the slack - Famara Diedhiou and Krepin Diatta are also contenders to feature on Sunday - with Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia providing the central goal threat.

Chelsea pair Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly are stalwarts of the Senegalese defence, which is set to remain unchanged by coach Aliou Cisse.

Our tipster partners are predicting a home win.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> How Senegal could line up against England

> How England could line up against Senegal

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Written by
Barney Corkhill
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