England vs Senegal predictions: Our World Cup experts on the score and style to expect

After beating Wales 3-0 to finish with the best record from the group stage, England will play their first knockout fixture of the World Cup today.

They take on Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal in the last 16 at 7pm GMT this evening.

Senegal were predicted to be one of the strongest non-European or South American teams at the tournament, with several high-profile players, but they are weakened by an injury to star man Sadio Mane which has resulted in him missing the tournament.

Senegal have performed relatively well so far. They were unlucky in their first match against the Netherlands, losing to two late goals. They survived a scare in their 3-1 win over hosts Qatar, before showing resilience in their 2-1 triumph over Ecuador.

England's World Cup started in convincing fashion, with their 6-2 win over Iran gaining plenty of plaudits. A goalless draw followed against USA, putting the brakes on the English excitement levels somewhat. But they were back to winning ways with a convincing win over Wales in the final match.

England will face either France or Poland in the quarter-final if they overcome Senegal.

Matt Law

England 2 Senegal 0: England will win. I don’t think it will be comfortable or easy, but I think Harry Kane will score and that England will get their second goal late in the game to kill the tie.

Jason Burt

England 2 Senegal 0: The African champions may be without Sadio Mane but they are well-organised and dangerous and will want to keep it tight. It well be a case of whether England can break them down and that may require patience – which they have shown before in knock-out games under Gareth Southgate.

Luke Edwards

England 2 Senegal 1: It will be a little nervous and, probably at times frustrating, but England have got used to winning knock out games at major tournaments and that is a nice, warm comfort blanket.

Sam Dean

England 1 Senegal 0: An evening of frustration and introspection awaits for England, who I can see scoring from a set piece or a penalty but struggling to build on it afterwards. It is unlikely to be pretty.

Chris Bascombe

England 3 Senegal 0: Patience is the key for England. They may have to wait for their opening goal, but once they get ahead it will be a tough evening for the African champions.

James Ducker

England 2 Senegal 1: The Africans champions did well to beat Ecuador 2-1 to qualify for the last 16 but the loss of Sadio Mane has been a huge blow and severely blunted their attack. I think it will still be a close match but expect England to win.

Oliver Brown

England 2 Senegal 0: No matter how assiduously England have prepared for penalties, the very prospect still curdles the blood. The longer the first goal takes to arrive, the more nervous they will become. But they should have enough to overpower Senegal, with Harry Kane breaking his duck at this World Cup.

Jim White

England 1 Senegal 0: This is going to be tight, tense and nerve-shredding. Senegal are a destructive team, quick in the tackle, tough to break down. They have class defenders and, as Chelsea fans know, an excellent goalkeeper. England are not going to find it easy. But they have the talent to overcome the stiffest of challenges in the end.

Thom Gibbs

England 1 Senegal 1 (England to win on penalties): England should expect their toughest game of the tournament so far against a team which has risen to the challenge of losing its best player to injury. Now they also have to cope without Idrisisay Gueye in the middle. This should mean another dominant night for the England trio which dictated the tempo against Wales. But Senegal will disturb England's momentum more, and a night of toil seems possible. Gareth Southgate should have them well prepared if it goes the distance.

Mike McGrath

England 2 Senegal 2 (England to win on penalties) 

Gareth Southgate has combinations in his forward line that will create chances at Al-Bayt Stadium, with depth on his bench to make changes in the second half if things are not going England's way. But Senegal will also pose a huge threat going forward and I can see the match going the distance. Should it go to penalties, Senegal will obviously fancy their chances after glory in Afcon and the play-off to reach Qatar, but Southgate's team have won two out of three themselves and I would back them to keep their nerve in a shootout.

Jeremy Wilson

England 2 Senegal 0

As against Wales, early difficulties can be expected against a stubborn and well-organised Senegal team. England's great weapon at this World Cup, however, is the variety of their attacking options and the increase to five substitutes. That should become decisive as the match unfolds.