The World Cup has officially arrived, and the Ladbrokes blog is your one-stop shop for daily tips ahead of all the key games. From the Group Stages, right through to the World Cup Final, check back each day to find out who our football expert is backing!
World Cup Third Place Tips
France vs England Predictions – Third Place
The World Cup third-place consolation game could (and likely will be viewed) as a major disappointment for two powerhouse teams like France and England.
Les Bleus ran into the might of Spain in Wednesday’s 0-2 shutout loss, while England was handed yet another cruel, heartbreaking result against Argentina after leading right up until the 85th minute.
It was an emotional letdown for both sides, but you could argue England was handed a much stiffer blow on a few days ago, and it will be fascinating to see how Thomas Tuchel’s side regroups after falling apart in extra time.
Speaking of Tuchel, it will be interesting to see how he plans on combatting France’s explosive attack. The England manager has copped plenty of flack for making major defensive substitutions with the lead against Argentina, with Harry Kane himself admitting that his side got too comfortable with the lead.
At their best, England’s structured approach is good enough to beat France, but we’ve seen cracks show right through the tournament. It takes only one or two moments of set piece brilliance for the likes of Mbappe or Dembele to strike, so with all that in mind – plus England’s questionable motivation – the edge belongs to France.
Prediction: France to Cover (-1 Goal) @ $3.20
Value: Correct Score – France 3-1 @ $15
Player Pick: Harry Kane Anytime Goalscorer