Stephen Warnock
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live's World Cup Daily

I totally agree that before the tournament England and their fans would have been thinking a back five for France, but that might not be the case now.

One of the other interesting positions is that right wing spot in the front three. There will be times when Kyle Walker does go forward and you need to have that pace into recovery.

Straight away I would look at Marcus Rashford and think he is probably the quickest of the forward players. But with the form of Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden, I think he will probably use Rashford off the bench.

Jordan Henderson understands that position where he needs to be coming across and making sure he is covering that position. He understands that he can't always be running forward.

It is an interesting battle because when we speak to coaches they often say "the best way to counteract his ability is to take the other way", but I don't think Kylian Mbappe goes the other way. I don't think he needs too - he has been given a licence to hold his position.

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David O'Leary
Former Leeds United & Aston Villa manager on BBC Radio 5 Live

It is very seldom nowadays that you see someone sacrificed against someone else. If you look at the way they have been bringing Kyle Walker along in the games they know they were going to run into France if everything went to plan.

England have got Walker right up to speed at the right time and I think Walker is confident that he's faced Kylian Mbappe for Man City and pace always help you. It should be a good contest.

I don't expect Walker to follow Mbappe wherever he goes. Say Mbappe switches to the right, I would be very surprised to see Walker follow him.

Leon Osman
Former Everton midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live's World Cup Daily

I would be surprised if Kyle Walker wasn't picked and just as a right-back, considering how much success we've had as a back four so far.

There are options to change but I would keep it the same.

It is unfortunate for Kieran Trippier, but you've seen it in the last two games. Trippier was doing well, but it has been about trying to give Kyle Walker minutes to get him up to speed.

It was about trying to get Walker into a position to be ready for Kylian Mbappe if England got to the quarter-finals.

We've seen them face each other for Manchester City and Paris St-Germain and Walker absolutely loves it. He loves the challenge. He wants to go toe-to-toe with Mbappe. That is brilliant for England.

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Stephen Warnock
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live's World Cup Daily

Kyle Walker's communication with his centre-back, most likely John Stones, is going to be crucial.

If Stones says "go tight, I've got you behind" then you know you can be so aggressive with that and you can get as tight as you want.

If Mbappe does drop the shoulder and the ball gets played in behind then Stones has already told you that he'll deal with that and he's there for you, so you can be aggressive.

If Walker doesn't get the shout and he isn't sure then he is going to back off and stay in his position. Any miscommunication or a lack of understanding and Mbappe gets an opportunity, it could be critical against someone of his ability.

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One of the key conversations since we knew it was going to be England v France has centred around right-back Kyle Walker and forward Kylian Mbappe.

We've already seen Mbappe light this World Cup up with five goals, and we're going to focus on that battle for a while now.

Friday, 9 December

15:00 GMT: Croatia v Brazil - watch on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and website app

19:00 GMT: Netherlands v Argentina - watch on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and website & app

There will also be radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and the website and app. The Red Button and iPlayer will have that commentary - and build-up and post-match content - over the top of the match pictures in World Cup Extra.

Saturday, 10 December

15:00 GMT: Morocco v Portugal - ITV, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and website & app

19:00 GMT: England v France - ITV, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and website & app

• All you need to know about the quarter-finals

Karen Bardsley
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live's World Cup Daily

I was convinced against the US there was some ulterior motive.

I think people have given Gareth [Southgate] a rough go. His approach at Euros and World Cup, he knows the system he wants to play and the players that fit in it.

The purpose has to be on the ultimate outcome. Although they might not be the players in form, they are the best for his system and style he wants to play.

Maybe his in-game decision-making hasn’t always been what needs to be but he has learned so much from previous tournaments.

The France game is a great opportunity – we’re in a really good place.

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Stephen Warnock
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live's World Cup Daily

One thing I've always said is we’ve got the squad that’s capable of winning the World Cup.

The big thing for me was Gareth Southgate. Will he find the system that allows them to play in a positive manner?

He's made some big decisions. A back four suits them. If had [Reece] James/[Ben] Chilwell fit, he probably would have gone with wing-backs but he doesn’t have them. The back four working really well.

Put [Jordan] Henderson in centre midfield. His organisation skills, to allow everyone else to do their job, has helped England.

The big thing is the biggest test comes against France. He will be judged on that. It will be an incredible game. Will he allow them to go for it or will he be reserved? I wanted them to go for it in the American game. There are still questions tactically during games but I hope he proves me wrong.

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Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Doha

Do you think the winner of the England v France game will go on to win the World Cup?

I think they will reach the final but as I tipped Argentina or Brazil as winners before the tournament I would not say they were definite winners – but self-evidently they would have a great chance.

• We really believe we can win World Cup - Maguire
• Mbappe? Kane? Pick your combined England-France XI

Karen Bardsley
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live's World Cup Daily

England really grown into this tournament.

My perception of the team has changed since the start. I feel confident they can turn this France team over.

They have the depth and the talent and as a whole may be more prepared than France.

How do you control midfield were the question marks. Can we get forward and sustain the attack? Those questions have been answered.

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Stephen Warnock
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live's World Cup Daily

I knew if it actually went to plan for both sides this is where they’d meet. So far it has gone brilliantly for both.

Once you're at the quarter-finals you have to start beating big teams.

Lot of talk about France as favourites for competition. They might be but England can certainly beat them. Each one of these eight teams are thinking this could be their year.

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Over the next hour or so we're largely going to focus on that England quarter-final against France.

Kick-off is now just over 51 hours ago. Nervous yet?

We're going to hear from a number of BBC pundits about where that game may be won and lost, and who is likely to be a key figure in the match.

I know you've just read what Kalvin Phillips had to say, but you can watch him talk about Raheem Sterling's return to Qatar and the England camp below.

Sterling left Qatar on Saturday after a break-in at his home in Surrey, but will arrive back on Friday and be available for Saturday's quarter-final against France.

England

And that's all from Kalvin Phillips who was on good form.

The Manchester City man revealed the key news Declan Rice was fit - and he played it safe by declaring Jude Bellingham as the player he'd start.

In a comparison with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, that's some praise for the 19-year-old.

Image source, PA Media

England

Phillips on Robbie Williams performing a surprise gig at their hotel: "Robbie Williams was here with us last night, just by the pool. He sang a few songs. Was a really good night. I had a chance to chat with him. He's obviously unbelievably talented but also he's a really nice person who got along with eveyrone.

"It was a pleasure to have him and it was an honour to have met him and spoke to him."

England

Phillips on how he has found time to switch off during the World Cup: "A good number of my family have travelled to Qatar. Whenever I've had chance, I've been to see them and spend time with them.

"I've FaceTimed my family back home. It was my birthday last week so I had lots of messages then.

"I've also spent time with the lads. It's been a good few weeks, quite long, but I'm hoping it'll go on for another couple of weeks."

England

Phillips on how he has stayed positive in the last few months with injuries affecting his playing time at Manchester City: "Just with the people around me to be honest and seeing my family as well. That has been a big boost.

"It is the lads who I have trained with every day, particularly the ones that haven't played as much that have kept me going.

"I have been a bit down in training a couple of times, because I felt like I could have played or I wanted to be on the pitch and it didn't happen. They've always had their arm around me and helped me a little bit.

"I have been a lot happier since getting back into camp. The lads have been great with me. Sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture and the little role you can play to help the lads progress."

England

Phillips on whether the break-in at Raheem Sterling's house has heightened fears for the other players: "Yeah, I think once one player goes through it, there is always a thought in the back of your mind that it might happen to you or to somebody else.

"It isn't a nice feeling - when you are so far away from home and you've got family at home. There isn't much we can do about it but Raheem feels good enough now to join back up with us and we're very happy about that. We're glad his family is well."

Have there been conversations with the FA about enhancing security: "Not that I know of, no."

England

Phillips on whether fans should come out and support them and what difference they could make: "Obviously if you are someone who wants a ticket to come and watch England, then please do.

"You will make a difference. You will hopefully be a massive part in history. I urge you to come out and support us.

"The atmosphere in the last couple of games, and how happy they've been, and the videos from back home, it is an amazing feeling. It is a pleasure to represent this country at a World Cup.

"If you do get the chance to get a ticket then I'd definitely make it the first thing on your bucket list."

England

Phillips on learning from other teams: "We've spoken about every team that's won a tournament in the past ten or so years.

"It was in a 25-minute meeting about our identity, about how we want to play and how we want to progress in the tournament.

"We know that it's down to a good defensive record and being clinical at the other end of the pitch.I think we went through so many teams, even clubs, to see how they perform throughout a season.

"If we can get along those lines and numbers then there's no reason we can't go all the way and eventually win the World Cup."