England faces off against DR Congo in the Round of 32 on Wednesday, July 1. The knockout stage match is set for a 12:00 p.m. ET kickoff in Atlanta.
While England navigated their group unbeaten, DR Congo made history by advancing to the knockouts for the first time.
England is favored at a -371 price, with the over/under set at 2.5 (-110o / -115u) goals.
Let's get into my England vs DR Congo prediction.
England vs DR Congo Prediction
Pick: England to Win to Nil
My England vs DR Congo best bet is backing England to win with a clean sheet.
England vs DR Congo Odds
| DR Congo Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -120 | 2.5 110o / -135u | +1200 |
| England Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -105 | 2.5 110o / -135u | -330 |
England vs DR Congo World Cup Preview
This match represents the first significant test for manager Thomas Tuchel in the knockout rounds of this tournament. While England advanced from their group unbeaten, their performances have been more functional than fluid, often requiring second-half adjustments to secure results. They now face a DR Congo side that has been one of the tournament's most resilient defensive units.
DR Congo's defensive record in the group stage was impressive, conceding just 0.61 expected goals (xG) per match—the exact same figure as England. They have demonstrated an ability to frustrate top attacks and make life difficult for their opponents. For England to succeed, they will need to move the ball with greater speed and precision than they did in their matches against Ghana and Panama. The expected return of Declan Rice to the midfield should provide a crucial layer of defensive stability, allowing England's more creative players to focus on breaking down DR Congo's low block.
This will be the first-ever meeting between England and DR Congo. Historically, England has an excellent record against African nations in this competition, remaining unbeaten in nine previous encounters with four wins and five draws. Conversely, DR Congo has yet to secure a victory against a European opponent in the tournament, with a record of two losses and one draw. While history favors England, the disciplined and tournament-hardened nature of this DR Congo side suggests they will provide a stern challenge.
Check out the best soccer odds before making your England vs DR Congo picks.
England vs DR Congo Picks, Betting Analysis
- England to Win to Nil (-139, DraftKings)
After conceding two goals against Croatia in their opening match, England significantly tightened up their defense. They followed that performance with back-to-back clean sheets against Ghana and Panama, showcasing a much more organized and disciplined backline. The underlying data supports this trend, as England allowed just eight shots on target through their three group games, a mark bettered by only a handful of teams in the tournament.
On the other side, DR Congo has struggled to generate consistent offense. The Leopards managed just seven shots on target across their three group matches, one of the lowest totals among teams that advanced to the knockout round. While Newcastle's Yoane Wissa presents a threat, he is likely to be isolated against a superior English defense. England is expected to dominate possession and control the match's tempo, which should limit DR Congo's opportunities for counter-attacks and make it difficult for them to find the back of the net.
England vs DR Congo Predicted Lineups
England Expected Lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Pickford
- Defenders: Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly
- Midfielders: Anderson, Rice, Saka, Bellingham, Rashford
- Forwards: Kane
DR Congo Expected Lineup (5-3-2)
- Goalkeeper: Mpasi-Nzau
- Defenders: Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Kapuadi, Masuaku
- Midfielders: Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Kayembe;
- Forwards: Wissa, Bakambu
England vs DR Congo Weather
This match will be played indoors and therefore will not be impacted by weather.
