England have never lost in seven previous World Cup matches against African opposition (W4 D3); their only previous such game in the knockout stages came against Cameroon in the 1990 quarter-final, winning 3-2 after extra-time, with their goals coming from David Platt and two Gary Lineker penalties.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

African nations have actually lost eight of their nine World Cup knockout round games against European sides, with the exception being Senegal's 2-1 win over Sweden in the round of 16 in 2002.

Dom: My 7yo daughter Heidi has just stated that Harry Kane is going to be "in trouble" with her if he doesn't score tonight. So there's the motivation.

England

England boss Gareth Southgate, speaking to ITV about Raheem Sterling: "He is dealing with a family matter. I had quite a bit of time with him this morning but I have had to pass that on to other people to help him with that."

Asked if he will be back for the rest of the tournament if England go through: "He will go and deal with that matter and we will have to take it from there."

On Bukayo Saka starting: "He was excellent in our first two matches. We think Marcus [Rashford] was also very good and it is great to have him to come into the game as it opens up. We have an embarrassment of riches in all areas of the pitch. We think Phil [Foden] and Saka deserve their opportunity."

On Senegal: "They are very direct, they have pace, they are athletic and are well organised. They are African champions and have champions' mentality.

"We have to play our way. We have to play to our strengths. We have shown what we are about in this tournament and we will continue that tonight."

1. Aliou Cisse's team started with a gut-wrenching loss thanks to two late Netherlands goals...

They bounced back, though, with a convincing 3-1 victory over hosts Qatar to give themselves a chance of reaching the knockout rounds...

It took a nervy victory over Ecuador to confirm that, though...

Gareth Southgate's side began with an emphatic win over Iran, scoring six in a stunning demolition job...

They followed that up with a frustrating and disappointing 0-0 draw with the USA...

However, they boosted confidence again in their final group game by calling on some of those who had spent the majority of the tournament on the bench to date to brush aside Wales and qualify top of the group...

Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

It seems like Gareth [Southgate] has really built that togetherness, that culture and that's something that Sarina [Wiegman] brought to our squad as well, building that culture, knowing you as an individual, doing team bonding. That definitely made a big difference.

We've had some of England's best players ever but the gel and the culture just didn't seem right but it seems like this team are very much more together.

They all get on - you can see that on and off the pitch, the way they talk about each other. The dynamics off the pitch are huge for translating that on the pitch.

BBC Radio 5 Live

QPR goalkeeper Seny Dieng speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's a World Cup knockout stage game, you don't need any more motivation than that. Definitely we have a lot of players that play in England, that's extra edge.

"As you saw, we won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in the country's history, so our spirit as a team is very, very good."

Charlie: Rashford should be playing. He’s our Kylian Mbappe.

Our team at Wembley's Box Park have spotted a couple of fans who have taken a particularly creative approach to their costumes...

Clearly it's not just the Senegalese who can bring some life to a fan zone, although we're not sure "trees with England flag capes" would be in many people's costume bingo card.

Image source, BBC Sport

This World Cup has been a test of Harry Maguire's character as well as his ability - and he has shown everyone he has plenty of both.

His struggles at Manchester United were a big concern for me before the tournament because your form doesn't change just because you put on a different shirt.

Maguire hadn't been playing much for United this season and when he did come into the team he looked nervous and a long way off the level we are used to seeing him play at for England.

The amount of criticism he was getting was way over the top, but you can't get away from the fact he had not been anywhere near his best for several months.

That meant he came to this World Cup with his international place under scrutiny too, but any doubts I had about whether he should be playing for England in Qatar were answered straight away.

The first game, against Iran, was a pivotal moment. If he had been shaky there for whatever reason, then this might have turned into a very different tournament for him.

But he made a positive start, got on the ball and got some belief back - and he has kept on building his confidence in every game since then.

He was our best player against the United States, when he showed what an excellent defender he is when the ball comes into our box, and looked extremely composed against Wales too.

Read more here.

Chris: Henderson is a good player, no issue there. Really harsh on Rashford and I'm still not convinced about Saka. Anyway, come on England

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Al Bayt Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Who doesn't love a freebie?

This was the queue for the free flags and it was no surprise to me that the biggest queue I've seen so far involved English people.

We do love a queue and especially for free stuff!

Celestine Karoney
BBC Sport Africa journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live

Trust me, you have to believe in yourself. Game management is the thing I'm worried about for Senegal.

When they have conceded the goals in the last three games, it was in the second half, past the hour mark - so that fitness and fatigue means they will have to concentrate.

The England forwards will run for 90 to 120 minutes if that's what it is but Senegal do not want to go to penalties, I can tell you this.

Martin Keown
Former England defender

We will have worked on penalties, we've heard that. When it comes to it, it is a different matter. You can sense the people watching at home. You've just got to go up there and be positive.

If you look at Saka, he missed one in the Euros but he's been brilliant since.

We are growing and getting better all the time. When the moment comes, I think we'll be fine. I'm trusting in the players.

It was in the round of 16 in Russia four years ago that England faced the old enemy. No, not Colombia... a penalty shootout.

We all feared the worst, memories of 1990 and 1996 and 1998 and on and on.

But would you believe it, they only went and won it!

Eric Dier and Jordan Pickford - two of the key protagonists in that shootout - have watched back the action for your entertainment. And also to reassure you that it will be OK if it goes to penalties again tonight. Probably. Possibly. Oh God.

Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar

Plenty of threats for England fans to keep an eye out for on Senegal's side.

Bristol City fans will be disappointed to see their former favourite Famara Diedhiou on the substitutes' bench.

An aerial threat when/if he does come on, though...

Martin Keown
Former England defender

We don't need to worry about Harry Kane. He didn't score in he group stages of the Euros but scored in the knockout stages. We shouldn't worry about that - his goals will come.

He is probably itching to score.

As long as England get through he wouldn't mind, he'll be happy to win a World Cup.

Goals are like oxygen for strikers and he'll be looking to get on the scoresheet tonight.

Matt Upson
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

This England team think that they can win this tournament. The winning feeling comes from the togetherness and the team and that confidence, as opposed to looking at how great the players are around you. That's the key for me.

We've had World Cups before where we've had great players but we haven't been a great team and we haven't done particularly well. To me, that's the most important thing. The togetherness and the teamwork surely trumps any kind of talent you have.

Image source, BBC Sport

I went to watch England train on Thursday and, just from the warm-up, I can smell that they are going a long way in this competition.

Seriously, though, I am confident about their chances, although I don't think Senegal will let them have this all their own way.

The African champions were pretty disappointing when they played the Dutch but, when it really mattered, they turned up against Ecuador.

England's starting XI will be interesting, and there is always a great debate about that, but I think the strength on the bench will make the difference for Gareth Southgate, whoever begins the game.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read all of Sutton's predictions for the last 16