Referee Gerrard Sutton, from Australia, blows his whistle and Samoa kick us off.

Here we go then folks. Kick-off is seconds away.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at Emirates Stadium

Wow. That was electric.

Wow, what a performance from Samoa led by their captain Junior Paulo.

The Siva Tau sees with them march forward to the England players standing on the halfway line who look on unmoved, arms round each others' shoulders.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at Emirates Stadium

Both teams were greeted warmly by the fans as walked out and an impeccable minute's silence was held prior to Remembrance Day on Sunday.

The Emirates playing surface looks immaculate, with the vibrancy of the team colours only adding to the occasion.

Image source, BBC Sport

National anthems done. Now time for Samoa's war dance the Manu Siva Tau.

Image source, Getty Images

We have a rendition of The Last Post followed by a minute's silence to remember those who have lost their lives in conflict.

Samoa captain Junior Paulo, speaking to BBC One: "They've [England] been the form team of the World Cup so those battles in the middle are what it takes to win games.

"We've got to go out there and take the platform but we'll be looking to fight fire with fire."

Samoa head coach Matt Parish speaking to BBC One: "It's more so for Samoan people around the world. That's why I admire this group of players. They inspired young Samoans to chase their dream.

"This isn't just for our team but it's for the whole of Samoa.

The players are walking out. The Emirates isn't exactly full.

A big shame.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport

England have enjoyed half-time leads in all four of their World Cup matches, with their first 40 minutes against Papua New Guinea described as "inspiring" and "as good as it gets" by former England captain Jamie Peacock.

Experienced players such as prop Chris Hill, who turned 35 last week, Tom Burgess, 30, and Kallum Watkins, 31, have been key figures in setting the tone to England's defensive intensity and carries forward.

Burgess, who is set to become the fifth England player to win 30 caps on Saturday, has at times looked unstoppable and is justifiably in contention for the Golden Boot as international player of the year.

Image source, Getty Images

"We know we can get even better and we're just looking forward to playing a World Cup semi-final for England," said England's Herbie Farnworth earlier this week.

"We'll come out firing just like we did against PNG. We'll make it a real fast, tough game and we will back ourselves."

England's George Williams, speaking to BBC One:

"It's huge, we understand how big this game is for our country. We've got to make the most of it."

England head coach Shaun Wane, speaking to BBC One: "Samoa are better than what they showed us. We will see a different Samoa team today. But we've improved as well. We're up for it, it we will be physical. It's game on."

Kevin Brown
Former England international half-back on BBC One

For Samoa, Junior Paulo is an absolute sledgehanmmer in attack, he's 125 kilos. Meanwhile, at full-back, Jospeh Suaali'i, he's already one of the best players in the world.

He's got the potential to blow this game apart.

The head to head battle with Sam Tomkins could determine who wins this game.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at Emirates Stadium

Only minor adjustments for England from the side that thrashed an rather undercooked Samoa 60-6 in the tournament opener almost a month ago with Chris Hill and John Bateman, who was suspended for that match, both starting and Kai Pearce-Paul taking his place on the interchange bench.

Head coach Shaun Wane said he was expecting his side to come up against a "different team" their World Cup semi-final in London and he will do with five changes in Samoa's starting 13 and a sixth in Salford winger Ken Sio on the bench.

One of the most notable is former Featherstone player Fa'amanu Brown taking the place of ex-Huddersfield hooker Danny Levi, who had started all four of Samoa's games so far.

Dave Woods
BBC Rugby League correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Get ready for a gut-churning, nerve-racking Saturday afternoon.

Whether you are backing England or Samoa, their World Cup semi-final at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium is going to be one hell of a game.

And one thing is for sure - this time, it will not be 60-6 like when England thrashed Samoa in the opening game of the World Cup.

Semi-finals can be the most tense, most dramatic and most heart-breaking of games in a tournament.

England's past two World Cup semi-finals have been proof of that; almost unbearable emotional rollercoasters.

Image source, Getty Images

At Wembley in 2013, we watched Sam Burgess at his best, Dean Whare's wonder pass for a Roger Tuivasa-Sheck try and then, at the end of a pulsating game with England desperately trying to hold out against New Zealand, Shaun Johnson's dazzling step and dash to the line with seconds remainingbroke the hearts of the home crowd.

Four years later in Auckland, in front of a full house of roaring Tonga fans, it was just as tense.

England looked like comfortable winners, until Tonga produced a stirring and incredible fightback in the late stages. A controversial knock-on call against Tonga's Andrew Fifita in the closing moments wasthe difference between glory and despair.

We could witness something similar today.

Head-to-head

• This will be the sixth time that two teams have met twice in a single tournament across the last six World Cups. In three of the previous five instances, the same team have won both fixtures.
• England have won all their four previous men's Tests against Samoa.

England

• England have won eight of their last nine World Cup games, including their last four on the bounce by an average margin of 52 points. The only time they have won more successive games at the tournament was an eight-game streak from September 1975 to October 1995.
• England have scored 61 points per game, the most of any team in the history of the World Cup and 26 points per game more than their previous best in 2000.

Samoa

• Samoa have become the seventh different team to qualify for the semi-finals of a men's Rugby League World Cup.
• Samoa have gained 555 metres from offloads at this World Cup, 199 metres more than any other team at the tournament.

Kevin Brown
Former England international half-back

You can see the threat on the left and the right and they look strong in the centre.

England look so well balanced at this moment in time. It is time to get excited. We are more than capable of winning this World Cup, there is threat all over the field. You can't just shut one person down.

The balance of the side is so impressive and they have superstars all over the field.