Alan Shearer, Rio Ferdinand and Alex Scott sit down with Liam Loftus to discuss England's chances in the quarter-final against France, which players should start and whether or not England can win the World Cup.

Southgate:“I remember 1978 but obviously I was watching Scotland but [in 1982] I remember coming home from school [to watch it].

"I was a big fan of Bryan Robson and he scored after 27 seconds.

"That game, the two goals he scored in particular, caused me to fall in love with England football and England in World Cups, for definite.”

Portugal and Morocco are doing their pre-match news conferences over the next hour or so.

We'll keep you up-to-date with the best lines.

England

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Southgate: “Four years ago we could have talked well but we didn’t have actual evidence of winning big matches and going through big nights together as a group.

"I think over this period of time we’ve had so many of those occasions that now there’s less satisfaction with getting to the quarter-final, there’s more desire to go further and there’s more evidence that we’ve come through these nights well. I think for any team that’s an important part of growing.”

“I think there’s always been a level of respect for England but I think we’ve got credibility now. To get to a semi-final then a final, I think the rest of the world believe that England are competitive and they know that we have performed under pressure a lot more in the last few years.

"When I travel around Europe and the world, and meet football people, there’s definitely a greater appreciation of what we’ve done.”

England

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Southgate: “We’d be naïve to go into any game and just see how it goes. At the highest level you’ve got to prepare for the opponent.

"There’s special players that you’ve got to think about, you’ve got to work harder to create your own chances but we’re not spending longer or more hours because we do that due diligence for every game.

"Every team has special players that you’re making certain plans for, or at least making your players aware of where their strengths are, the types of runs they make and where they might get their goals.”

England

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Gareth Southgate speaking to BBC Sport Kelly Somers: “It’s a special night, you’re imagining a Saturday night, [with] everybody at home, playing the world champions. England-France anyway, the history of the two countries, the sporting history as well, there’s so much on it. They’re brilliant nights to be a part of.”

“We’ve done a lot of study of France over the last few years really. They were the world champions and we wanted to see exactly what had caused them to be world champions. We got a good insight into them.

“They’ve evolved and changed through that period so it’s not always been definitive. They’ve lost a few players coming into this tournament as well so what they’ve considered their best team has changed slightly in the last few months. But yeah, it’s fair to say we’ve watched quite a bit [of them].”

Julien Laurens
French football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

Griezmann's new position as a number 8 on the right side of the three in midfield is one of the stories of this World Cup. We didn't expect it; we thought he'd have a similar role as a second striker as before.

Two years ago, one morning at breakfast, Didier Deschamps said to Griezmann, "You know you'd make a great holding midfielder". Griezmann was a bit surprised and they kind of laughed it off but the idea stayed in Deschamps' mind.

With the injuries to N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, Deschamps thought, "I need to see if I can reinvent him in that position". He is so intelligent, his football IQ is great, but he never stops running.

Griezmann has been important to the balance of this team, just making sure where the ball should go. With his awareness, he plays two touch or one touch every time. The fluidity he brings is so key.

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He may be biased but Kieran Trippier has also warned England need to be just as aware of Antoine Griezmann as they are of Kylian Mbappe.

The influence of the Atletico player has gone under the radar in the build-up to the quarter-final but Trippier knows from his time together with Griezmann in Spain just how dangerous he can be.

"He is so clever that he drifts and just picks up spaces," Trippier said. "He has the individual quality to find a pass, score a goal and arrive in the box.

"Griezy is a fantastic player - and one we have to be aware of."

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Kieran Trippier has revealed that he and France forward Antoine Griezmann used to invite one another over for barbecues.

England right-back Trippier spent two seasons at Atletico Madrid before returning to the Premier League in January to join Newcastle. During his time in the Spanish capital, he lived in the same complex as the French forward.

Before England and France's quarter-final tie on Saturday, the 32-year-old defender from Bury discussed their relationship.

"We lived in the same area and spent a lot of time together off the pitch," said Trippier.

"As we all did. It was like a big family. He helped me with the language and was really important to me.

"The good thing is that every player would host and that closeness came from the manager. We would go round each other's houses as it was literally 10 seconds away."

The pair have played against one another previously, whilst Griezmann was with Barcelona. Assuming Gareth Southgate opts to use Kyle Walker at right full-back again on Saturday, however, they may not get an opportunity to face off in the World Cup.

Premier League

While you're thinking about Jesse Lingard, it's a handy reminder that for many Premier League clubs it's less than two weeks until they are back in action.

BBC Sport's bespoke club service is always on with the latest news, analysis and fan views so make sure to follow your team's page.

Over here there's a simple how-to guide, but otherwise just click on your club's name in the Premier League table and you're away.

Image source, Reuters

Besides, Jesse Lingard is backing England to go on and win the World Cup. He's been speaking to BBC East Midlands Today's Charlie Slater about how strange it has been watching this tournament after playing and scoring at the last one in Russia.

"Brazil look strong, France and our team look strong as well," he said. "It's more about belief now. I think England have the belief more than the last World Cup where I was involved. I think they have the confidence and belief to go on and win it."

On watching the games versus taking part he added: "Yes it's strange here. I needed to kick on as soon as I signed here, which I didn't. Understandably that's why you don't get picked. But I still support them. I'll always be there to support them.

"I am going to keep working hard and trying to score and assist and do well for Forest. That's when England come calling. As long as I do my bit on the pitch everything else should fall into place."

And cheekily when asked if England can win the World Cup, Lingard added: "Yes, it's coming home definitely."

Listen to a clip of Lingard here

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Well this is encouraging.

Apparently a new supercomputer has predicted, external England will lose to France and they only have a 6.3% chance of winning the tournament

Maths eh.

Let's not worry too much about that.

Oscar

Julien Laurens
French football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

Before the Poland game, Deschamps said to the team, 'if you've got the ball, give it to Kylian'.

We are very dependent on Kylian Mbappe, which is great because he is the best player in the world, but I don't know what happens if he has an off day.

With England, the danger comes from everywhere, for us, it comes from Mbappe.

England's fair play record may prove useful going into their quarter-final tie with France. None of Southgate's players have been booked across the four games in the tournament so far, meaning they are less at risk of suspension.

Fifa's rules for the World Cup set out that players will receive a one-match ban if they are shown two separate yellow cards across the group stage, as well as the last 16 and quarter-finals.

Two yellow cards in the same game, of course, will also result in a one match ban, as would a straight red card.

French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni picked up a booking against Poland, whilst defender Jules Kounde was given a yellow against Denmark. With the threat of potentially missing the semi-finals, could that limit their freedom on Saturday?

Didier Deschamps swatted that aside, saying France "would not play with the handbrake on".

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After that maelstrom of France updates, you may be wondering about the Test.

Not good news I'm afraid, it's been a whirlwind first day and England were dismissed for 281, with debutant spinner Abrar Ahmed taking seven wickets.

Follow the coverage over here as Pakistan start their first innings.

France

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Hugo Lloris was talking about what it's like to be the senior statesman in the France squad.

Given he's about to surpass Lilian Thuram to become France's all-time record appearance-maker outright with 143 appearances, he's probably fairly well placed to speak on it.

Saying that though, he feels his France team-mates are well-equipped to cope with the stage.

"The players know how to deal with pressure," said Lloris, "but there are some players who weren't involved in the last few tournaments.

"We can help them and talk them through things but we are all ready.

"It is the quarter-final of the World Cup so we know what it means. There is not much to say, it is a big game."

Image source, Getty Images

And with that Didier Deschamps sweeps out of the news conference.

France seem calm, confident and measured.

But then, would you expect anything else?

France

Deschamps on the psychology of knockout football: "It is the same for every team, winner takes all. One will be happy, one will go home.

"The further you go in the tournament, games are more exciting and demanding. My players want to go further. It is a wonderful opportunity but you need to dig deep to go further."

France

Deschamps on his contract which runs till the end of this tournament: "My only priority is this match and getting through to the semi-finals."