Countdown to Samara

Fighting fit or walking wounded?

England go into the game on the back of a long, tense and bruising clash with Colombia. Not only did the game go the full 120 minutes, as well as the emotional anxiety of penalties, it also included some punishing treatment from the South Americans. Jamie Vardy’s groin injury appears to be the most problematic issue, but the likes of Ashley Young, Dele Alli and Kyle Walker also had exacting evenings in Moscow. Monitoring will continue on all players before Southgate selects his team and, in the heat of Samara, it will soon become apparent if England are short of peak condition.

Time for a shutout

Amid the Three Lions’ buoyant surge to the last eight, it is easy to forget they have yet to keep a clean sheet. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford still managed to win his place in the nation’s hearts with his brilliant penalty save against Colombia, while Harry Maguire and John Stones have earned glowing reviews for their performances to date. What they are missing is a complete defensive performance that keeps the opposition off the scoresheet. What better time to produce than a World Cup quarterfinal?

Can Sweden solve England’s corner puzzle?

One of the defining features of England’s campaign to date has been their efficiency from the corner flag. Kierantrippierandashley Young’s delivery has been consistently dangerous, leaving defenders to scrap in a variety of unedifying ways with danger man Harry Kane. Ill-discipline in the box hasalreadyearnedengland three goals from the spot and Sweden must know they cannot afford to add to the tally.