England vs DR Congo: Prediction, Picks, Lineups & Best Bets

Updated for kickoff day · Right-back crisis · Total-goals line flip · FanDuel odds

📖 Match Preview

Thomas Tuchel's England topped Group L unbeaten but left plenty of doubters unconvinced — a 4-2 win over Croatia, a flat 0-0 draw with Ghana, and a labored 2-0 win over Panama in which Bukayo Saka finally made his first start of the tournament after managing an Achilles issue, setting up Bellingham's opener with a pinpoint corner. England remain unbeaten in 11 competitive fixtures under Tuchel.

DR Congo arrive with no injury concerns and a genuine belief they can cause an upset, having already held Portugal to a draw and come from behind to beat Uzbekistan. Sébastien Desabre is expected to revert to the 5-3-2 shape that served them against Portugal and Colombia — a system stacked with Premier League experience (Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe) that gives this DR Congo back line a rare familiarity with exactly what England's attack likes to do.

Yoane Wissa remains the clearest individual threat on the pitch in either direction — he's scored three of DR Congo's four tournament goals, including a header against Portugal and a brace against Uzbekistan, already outscoring his entire injury-hit 2025-26 Newcastle season. England's counter is Kane and Bellingham, who combined for five group-stage goals and remain the shortest route through what should be a stubborn, well-organized Congolese block.

The total-goals market has moved meaningfully since our last look at this game — Under 2.5 has flipped to the favorite at -132, up from Over 2.5 being favored just a day ago. That lines up with both teams' recent form: seven of England's last nine matches have gone Under 2.5, and 13 of DR Congo's last 16 have too. This increasingly looks like a tight, low-event game rather than an open one.

🩺 Team News & Injuries

📋 Predicted Lineups

📊 Key Stats & Head-to-Head

⭐ Best Bets — FanDuel

All odds FanDuel Sportsbook, updated today · 3-Way Moneyline (90 min): England -360 / Draw +400 / DR Congo +1400 · 2 Up Early Payout: England -360 / Draw +400 / DR Congo +1200 · To Qualify (reg+ET+pens): England -800 / DR Congo +520 · Anytime Goalscorer (top of board): Kane -130, Rashford +220, Madueke +240, Bellingham +240, Gordon +240, Saka +240 · Anytime Goalscorer (incl. ET): Kane -150, Rashford +200, Saka +220, Bellingham +220, Gordon +220, Madueke +220 · To Score or Assist: Kane -170, Rashford -110, Madueke -105, Gordon +105, Rogers +115, Bellingham +120 · To Score or Assist (incl. ET): Kane -200, Rashford -130, Madueke -120, Gordon -110, Rogers +100, Bellingham +105 · Player 1+ SOT: Kane -650, Rashford -250, Gordon -200, Madueke -200, Rogers -200, Saka -200 · Correct Score: England 1-0 +380, 0-0 +1100, 0-1 +2200, 2-0 +440, 1-1 +850, 0-2 +10000, 2-1 +750, 2-2 +2700, 1-2 +3500, 3-0 +700, 3-3 +17500, 1-3 +17500, 3-1 +1300, 2-3 +15000, 3-2 +4000 · BTTS Yes +174 / No -230 · O/U 1.5: -300 / +235 · O/U 2.5: +108 / -132 (line flipped to Under favorite since previous odds) · England predicted 4-2-3-1: Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane · DR Congo predicted 5-3-2: Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Kapuadi, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Kayembe; Wissa, Bakambu · Reece James's tournament looks over (hamstring), Quansah unlikely to be risked (ankle), Spence to fill in at RB · No injuries reported for DR Congo · Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta GA · Today 12PM ET · FOX/Telemundo · Winner faces Mexico/Ecuador winner in Round of 16 · Must be 21+ · Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER