World Cup Semi Final Predictions

TUESDAY:

FRANCE V SPAIN

France were a class above Morocco in the Quarter Finals and this game will be their first major test at this tournament.

The teams they've faced so far have all been sides they've been expected to beat and they've done so without too many problems.

Now they're at the stage where their credentials will be put to the test against a side who are on or close to their level.

Spain beat France in the semi finals at the Euros two years ago where Lamine Yamal scored a belter of a goal to set Spain on their way to reaching the final.

He hasn't exactly been at his brilliant best at this tournament whether that's down to him carrying that injury he picked up pre-tournament or opposing defenders working him out.

He has shown flashes of his ability but he hasn't quite made the impact I was expecting him to make at this tournament.

Spain will be up against a much stronger French team than the one they beat in the Euros two years ago and they're going to need to be at their best if they're to beat them because so far I don't think they've been at their best.

Because France have the stronger squad and are my favourites to win this tournament, I'm backing them to get their revenge and reach the final.

PREDICTION: 2-1

WEDNESDAY:

ENGLAND V ARGENTINA

This will be the fourth meeting between these two sides at a World Cup and there has been an iconic moment whenever they've faced one another.

We had Diego Maradona's hand of god and incredible solo goal fourty years ago in 1986, David Beckham's red card in 1998 and his penalty in 2002 which banished the demons from four years prior for good.

Thomas Tuchel wasn't happy with England's performance against Norway and he has a point because their performance was not brilliant.

But they did have Jude Bellingham to drag them over the finish line with his two goals and he has to be a strong contender for player of the tournament.

England can definitely cause Argentina problems in this game because the world champions are not the best defensively.

Argentina have been far from convincing in the knockout stages and needed extra time to beat Switzerland in the Quarter Finals.

The sending off of Breel Embolo changed the game as Switzerland caused Argentina a few problems before the sending off took place.

Lionel Messi will be facing England for the first time in his career and he'll no doubt fancy his chances because like Argentina, England are not the best defensively as we've seen on a number of occasions throughout the tournament.

Argentina may not have been as convincing in the knockouts as they were during the group stages, but I think they'll end England's World Cup dream and reach the final.

England will definitely score as they have goals in their attack in the form of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane alongside Argentina being vulnerable defensively.

But I think a moment of brilliance from Messi will win the game for the defending champions.

PREDICTION: 1-2