Pre-matchTuesday, June 23

England Look to Seal Last-16 Berth as Black Stars Seek Upset in Philadelphia

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With both sides sitting on three points after opening victories, the Three Lions arrive as overwhelming favourites against a Ghana side whose lone pool backer will need something special at Lincoln Financial Field.

The market makes England heavy favourites to follow up their opening win, and 65 of 74 in the pool agree — though eight brave souls are calling for a draw and one audacious picker has backed the Black Stars outright.

What's at Stake

England and Ghana are level on three points atop Group L, but the Three Lions' superior goal difference has them leading the way. A win for either side would all but guarantee passage to the knockout rounds with a game to spare, while even a draw would keep both firmly in the driving seat. Panama and Croatia, both on zero points after opening defeats, can only watch and hope for a surprising result that keeps the group wide open heading into the final matchday.

Team News & Tactical Battle

England manager Gareth Southgate is expected to field a strong XI after their comfortable opening victory, with Harry Kane leading the line and Jude Bellingham pulling strings in midfield. The Three Lions' blend of technical quality and tournament experience gives them a clear edge on paper. Ghana will look to their own Premier League contingent — including Thomas Partey in midfield and Mohammed Kudus in attack — to trouble England's backline, but the Black Stars will need to be sharper in possession than they were in stretches of their opening win. The central midfield duel between Bellingham and Partey could define the match, with England's press against Ghana's counter-attacking threat the key tactical subplot.

What the Market Says

The bookmakers make England clear favourites to take all three points in Philadelphia, reflecting both their stronger squad depth and their status as one of the tournament's leading contenders. Ghana's odds suggest the market sees them as capable of making it competitive but ultimately falling short against a side that reached the Euro 2020 final and the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals. A draw is priced as a possible but unlikely outcome, with England expected to control proceedings and find the breakthrough their quality demands.

▸Sources (32)