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While there may be some sense of normality around the first of the World Cup semi-finals to be played, the same certainly cannot be said of the second.
Belgium were mighty close to the top line of betting pre-tournament and when you have the array of tools that Didier Deschamps has at his disposal, it is no surprise to see the French involved deep in proceedings.
However, England was not on many people’s list to achieve what it has and Croatia, despite being something of a dark horse for many, would surely rely too heavily on too few and be found out by some of the deeper playing rosters.
So much for that logic and from these four, two will advance with the winner crowned the champion; it will be a frantic climax to an unpredictable event.
The Roar of the Crowd holds a slender lead over Daniel Jeffrey and it does look a race between two. Make sure to insert your tips into the sheet below and have a say in the World Cup semi-finals.
Here is the way the panels sees the two matches unfolding.
Stuart Thomas
Belgium, England
If you believe in romance, destiny and golden generations you will probably be supporting Belgium against France. If you lean more towards numbers and value you might be looking to outlay a little on the French.
The football world could see Belgium’s class leading into the tournament and the main men have provided in Russia. Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne lie at the heart of their success and with Lukaku in goal-scoring and goal-creating-through-stealth form, Belgium has the weapons to challenge the French defence.
France has improved steadily and their football hasn’t been poor, just a little inconsistent. Defensively, they looked good in the quarter-final against Uruguay and with explosive and opportunistic power up front, can pounce in a second and shred defences to pieces.
Will this be the day that Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann find their sweet spot?
I’m more of a dreamer, I’ll take Belgium.
If Croatia manage to muster up a team after looking like the walking wounded by the end of their quarter-final with Russia, they will have a huge task against the English who did appear fresh and confident against Sweden.
I called England as a last eight contender and many laughed, the team has now exceeded that prediction and made a lot of people regret their mockery. My main thinking was Harry Kane at the helm. He is a scoring machine as we all know yet it was his words as a leader that impressed.
Gareth Southgate has changed the culture. A proven manager at youth level; he brings an ability to gel teams and personal experience of the game on the big stage.
Against Russia, Croatia confused me. They looked too reliant on Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic in the midfield. Mateo Kovacic was held back for a late entry to the game and Ivan Perisic was replaced when looking the most dangerous.
The possession they enjoyed should see those players create more chances. If not for keeper, Danijel Subasic, the game may have slipped through their fingers altogether. England to win and play in the World Cup final.
Mike Tuckerman
Belgium, England
Why have I tipped Belgium? Because I like them more than France! And hey, they’ve got a pretty decent side and they’ve done well to get this far. Can they beat Les Bleus? They’ll need Eden Hazard to create the chances and Romelu Lukaku to finish them off, not to mention Thibaut Courtois to be on fine form between the posts. But the Belgians have already caused one huge upset in tipping out Brazil. I’m tipping they can cause another.
If I can indulge myself with one omen tip, I might as well go for two. I’d like it stated on record that I think Croatia are a better football team than England. But the English have chanced their way to the semi-finals – they’ve barely been tested, if we’re being honest – and they’ve got a groundswell of emotion behind them.
Plus Harry Kane knows how to sniff out a penalty and bang it away from the spot.
Daniel Jeffrey
Belgium, England
This first semi-final should be an absolute doozy – not that we’ve been starved of good matches at Russia 2018. Comparing the raw talent of each side, it’s very much a case of six one way, half a dozen the other; Belgium have the edge in attack, what with Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku (the latter of whom should be in consideration for player of the tournament), while France are better defensively.
I’ll give the edge to the Red Devils thanks to Roberto Martinez – not a manager I thought I’d be praising as a difference-maker before the tournament. The Spaniard has Belgium playing right to their strengths and produced an excellent game-plan to nullify Brazil last time out, while Didier Deschamps has long been touted as France’s weakest link. With doubts over Samuel Umtiti’s fitness, Belgium deserve to be favourites.
I know, I know. Last time, I said England wouldn’t win another game after disposing of Sweden. Three things, though, have changed my mind. The first is the ease of which they won that quarter-final. Yes, Jordan Pickford made some truly incredible saves, but Gareth Southgate’s men never looked like losing to the Swedes.
The second is that, for the first time this tournament (I’m not including the write-off against Belgium), England find themselves against a side that won’t just sit deep and be content to hit on the counter-attack. Croatia play a decent brand of football, often dictating play, and that’s going to open up plenty of space for the likes of Dele Alli, Raheem Stirling and Jesse Lingard.
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And finally, Croatia will be tired. They were dropping like flies in extra-time against Russia, have played back-to-back 120-minute games, and it’s going to require a monumental effort to match England’s running.
Now, they can still pull it off, particularly if Luka Modric retains his 101 per cent tournament passing efficiency (okay, okay, it’s actually 86 per cent). But based on what I saw in the quarter-finals, England are deserved favourites to make it to the final.
Tim Palmer
Belgium, England
It is not surprising many are viewing Belgium versus France as the real final. Both teams have the quality to go all the way and it is very difficult to see which way this semi-final will go.
I was pleasantly surprised by their respective victories in the quarters, but particularly with the way Roberto Martinez adapted Belgium’s tactics to cause Brazil problems in that first half. I think he might be able to do something similar here to break France down.
England have been great fun to watch; a young, dynamic team, loud supporters and a really likeable coach. Croatia, meanwhile, seem to have got worse as the tournament has gone on, although Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic were outstanding in the quarter-final against Russia. This will be very tight, and I can see it going all the way to penalties.
Paul Nicholls
France, England
France played their best game of the tournament against Uruguay in the quarter-finals. Didier Deschamps has got them improving every outing. Olivier Giroud is doing some fine work up front allowing Kylian Mbappe to use his speed and Antoine Griezmann to create havoc.
Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku has been in great form, as has Kevin de Bruyne and keeper Thibaut Courtois. If that doesn’t cause enough headaches for France, they have to deal with arguably the best player of the tournament in Eden Hazard. He was in fine fettle against Brazil and has the best touch I’ve seen in any player since Lionel Messi.
But I picked Les Bleus at the start of the tournament and I can’t abandon them now. In what should be a game for the ages, France should win by a single goal.
Apart from that song, there is a lot that England have done well. Perhaps surprisingly, it is their defence which has underpinned their success. Harry Maguire and John Stones are a solid and hefty defensive partnership and pose a real attacking threat on set pieces. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has been superb and made three cracking saves against Sweden.
Croatia are a talented side with a palpable team spirit. In Luka Modric they have a great leader but Croatia struggled for attacking options when he played a deeper role against Russia. When he shifted forward towards the end Croatia looked much better.
With Raheem Sterling’s pace, Harry Kane’s finishing ability and England’s mastery of set pieces, I’m sure we’ll hear some more of that song.
| Semi-finals | Stuart | Mike | Daniel | Tim | Paul | The Crowd |
| FRA vs BEL | BEL | BEL | BEL | BEL | FRA | ? |
| ENG vs CRO | ENG | ENG | ENG | ENG | ENG | ? |
| Previous Total | 25 | 25 | 30 | 25 | 27 | 31 |
| Quarter-finals | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| New Total | 28 | 29 | 33 | 26 | 30 | 34 |