England vs DR Congo Prediction: All together now – Hey Jude!

England managed to top Group L after their 2-0 victory over Panama and will be expecting to make further progress here when they face DR Congo in the last 32 at the Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday (5pm BST, 12pm local, live on BBC One).

Thomas Tuchel's side were held by African opposition in the group stages in the form of Ghana, and an improved performance is expected on Wednesday. Read on for my England vs DR Congo predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

England's team news has been dominated by one area - right-back. Reece James and Jarell Quansah are both out of action for the Three Lions on Wednesday due to injury, so Djed Spence looks set to be given the nod.

Nico O'Reilly will retain his place on the left side of the defence, with Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa making up the heart of the backline.

Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka could start out wide, while Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham will lead the line.

As for DR Congo, they have no injury concerns heading into Wednesday's tie.

Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa has three goals at the tournament so far, and is expected to start alongside fellow centre-forward Cedric Bakambu in the final third.

Former Manchester United duo Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe will keep their places at the back, while Samuel Moutoussamy and Noah Sadiki will be expected to battle Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson in the engine room.

England vs DR Congo Odds

England are 2/7 favourites to win in 90 minutes on Wednesday, giving them an implied win probability of 77.8%, while the draw is 4/1 and Congo are 12/1.

The Three Lions are even shorter to win the tie at 1/12, and it's 6/1 for Congo to advance to the last 16.

Kane is 4/7 to continue his goalscoring exploits and it's 4/6 for England to win to nil.

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Yoane Wissa to have 2+ shots on target (Sub Switch) @ 19/10

It's fair to say that England's backline has looked vulnerable in transition at times in all three group fixtures, and one man who can make the Three Lions pay is Wissa.

The Newcastle man has been very impressive at the World Cup so far, despite a poor domestic campaign, with three goals to his name from nine shots (averaging 3.00 per 90). He'll be familiar with the physicality of the England side having plied his trade in the Premier League for the past five seasons, and I can see DR Congo following the blueprint that Ghana laid out in their match against the Three Lions - sit in deep, and hit them on the break.

As a result, Congo will feed Wissa in transition so he should get chances to test the gloves of Jordan Pickford.

With Betfred's new 'Sub Switch' feature, if your player gets substituted at any point in the match, your selection is switched to the next player!

*Click here for the latest World Cup Odds

Jude Bellingham to score or assist (Sub Switch) @ EVS

Alongside Kane, Bellingham is England's X factor, and can be the difference-maker in these high-pressure moments.

In fact, he's already showcased it - England's number 10 put the Three Lions 3-2 up in the win over Croatia, before poking home a corner and setting up Kane's header against Panama to unlock a game that was heading towards stalemate.

Feels inevitable that Bellingham will be involved heavily on Wednesday if England play well, so taking him at EVS to have a goal or assist feels like the sensible play here.

With Betfred's new 'Sub Switch' feature, if your player gets substituted at any point in the match, your selection is switched to the next player!