World Cup 2022: How Senegal Could Line Up in Crunch Last 16 Clash Against England

• Aliou Cisse could settle for his preferred 4-3-3 formation when Senegal take on England in the last 16 of the World Cup
• Cisse will be without three key players for the crunch knockout clash, with Idrissa Gueye and Cheikhou Kouyate both ruled out
• The winner of the tie will play whoever emerges victor in the other last 16 fixture pitting holders France and Poland

Reigning African football champions Senegal are scheduled to face England in one of the 2022 World Cup's last 16 fixtures on Sunday, December 4.

Senegal set up a date with England after they finished second in Group A of the tournament with six points.

The group included hosts Qatar, who finished bottom with zero points, Ecuador, and the Netherlands, who finished top with seven points.

England, meanwhile, topped Group B with seven points and are yet to suffer defeat at the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

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A spot in the quarter-finals will be at stake when the two teams face off on Sunday night at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Senegal team news

Senegal will be without some key players for the England clash, with talisman Sadio Mane among the players who will play no role in the tie.

Mane was ruled out of the tournament after he sustained an injury in the run-up to the global football showpiece while playing for Senegal.

Idrissa Gueye and Cheikhou Kouyate are the other two players who won't feature against the Three Lions, with the latter nursing an ankle injury during the group stages.

Gueye, on the other hand, cannot make the squad after he received a second booking during Senegal's final Group A clash against Ecuador.

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Senegal's starting XI

Besides the three players, Aliou Cisse has an otherwise fully fit squad to take on England as they eye a spot in the quarts.

Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy is expected to keep his place between the sticks, despite his earlier shaky start in the competition.

Kalidou Koulibaly and Abdou Diallo are likely to be paired at the heart of defence, with Ismail Jakobs and Youssouf Sabaly playing on either flank in a back four.

Pathe Ciss is expected to be drafted into the midfield to fill the void left by the suspended Gueye, with Nampalys Mendy and Pape Gueye joining him in the middle of the park.

In attack, Iliman Ndiaye could start ahead of Krepin Diatta after impressing against Ecuador, as Boulaye Dia and Ismaila Sarr lead the goal hunt.

Kane warns Senegal

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Harry Kane has declared his intent to end his World Cup goal drought against Senegal on Sunday night.

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The Tottenham Hotspur ace is yet to find the back of the net in Qatar ahead of England's last 16 clash against the Lions of Teranga.

Kane has started all of England's group-stage fixtures in the tournament and is likely to keep his place against the reigning African champions.