World Cup Prediction: DR Congo vs England, Senegal Eye R16

England vs DR Congo is a World Cup banana skin — Tuchel's flat favourites against the side that dumped Nigeria out. Our prediction and tip inside.

Africa's World Cup knockout dream took a hit last night. 

Ivory Coast pushed Norway all the way but lost 2-1, so Morocco are still the only African side in the last 16. 

Today, two more get their shot and both carry weight for Nigerian eyes.

DR Congo, the team that ended the Super Eagles' World Cup, face England. 

Senegal, the strongest-placed African side left, face a Belgium team that is there to be beaten. 

One grudge match, one genuine coin-flip, and a USA side hunting only their second knockout win in history. Let's get into it.

DR Congo took the ticket Nigeria wanted. Today England try to take it off them.

England vs DR Congo — Round of 32 — Atlanta, 5pm (UK)

Here is the one Nigeria will watch through gritted teeth. 

DR Congo are the side that beat the Super Eagles in the playoff to reach this World Cup.

And they have not stopped since they held Ronaldo's Portugal to a draw, came from behind to beat Uzbekistan, and are into the knockouts for the first time in their history. 

This is not a team that turned up for the experience.

They are built to be a nuisance. 

A five-man defensive wall that shipped just one goal each to Colombia and Portugal, tireless midfielders, and Yoane Wissa up top carrying the whole attack on his back. 

Add Premier League familiarity through Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Wissa, and this is exactly the kind of stubborn, streetwise opponent that makes a laboured England side sweat.

And England have been laboured. 

Tuchel is unbeaten competitively, they topped their group, but the football has been flat, a goalless draw with Ghana, a tepid first half against Panama. 

The right-back slot is a mess, with Reece James injured and Jarell Quansah joining him, so Djed Spence starts. 

Still, Kane, Bellingham, Saka and Rashford is a forward line DR Congo simply cannot match for quality.

The quality gap is real and England should have too much. 

But so is the trap, one flat 45 minutes, one Wissa moment, and the Atlanta crowd starts to wonder. 

England advance, but nobody should expect a party.

Prediction: England 2-0 DR Congo.

Tip: England to qualify — banker of the day. 

Too much quality across the pitch even on an off night; DR Congo's back five may keep it tight, but England go through.

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Belgium vs Senegal — Round of 32 — Seattle, 9pm (UK)

This is the real African chance today, and the bookmakers know it. 

Belgium are only slight favourites in a tie most people are calling a coin-flip. 

Belgium won their group but limped through it, drawing with Egypt and Iran before hammering New Zealand.

And their attack turns toothless whenever Charles De Ketelaere plays as a false nine instead of Lukaku. 

De Bruyne still pulls the strings, but this is not a Belgium side anyone fears the way they used to.

Senegal have the profile to punish exactly those flaws. 

Ismaila Sarr has three goals already, Sadio Mane brings the experience and Iliman Ndiaye the spark, and their whole game is pace and power in transition, precisely what a shaky Belgian defence hates. 

The worry is at their own end.

They have gifted goals through individual errors, and with Edouard Mendy out injured, Mory Diaw steps in. 

Whoever wins the transition battle wins the tie.

Prediction: Belgium 1-1 Senegal, Senegal to qualify on penalties.

Tip: Senegal double chance — upset special. 

An even tie priced almost as a coin-flip, a toothless Belgium front line and Senegal's runners against a defence that leaks, this is live value on the Lions of Teranga.

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USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina — Round of 32 — San Francisco Bay, 1am (UK, Thu)

The hosts are back, chasing only their second World Cup knockout win ever.

And they get a Bosnia side that is younger and more dangerous than the seeding suggests. 

USA topped Group D and have Christian Pulisic back in the front line alongside Balogun and McKennie, with the crowd behind them. 

Bosnia lean on 39-year-old Edin Dzeko and a batch of lively young talents, and they beat Qatar to get here but this is a home knockout the US are expected to take.

Prediction: USA 2-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Tip: USA to win. Home crowd, more pace and balance, and Pulisic back pulling the strings; Dzeko will threaten, but this should be the hosts' night.

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