A strange phenomenon occurs every time England are in a major tournament in that a usually discerning public lose all sense of proportion regarding their national team.

In times past, this took the form of amplified optimism, or outright delusion in some cases, and as we found ourselves getting horribly carried away average players were proclaimed to be world class, and dangerous opposition were dismissed.

It’s why all those penalty shoot-outs hurt so much. There was pain, but there was also confusion.

These days however, it could be said we have gone too far the other way, distrustful as we are of Gareth Southgate as a manager and, by extension, distrustful of the team, the moment England face quality fare we collectively wave a white flag and talk the Three Lions down. As for the opposition, their merits are exaggerated beyond reason.

That latter distortion has been in full effect this week with France hyped up to rarefied heights. If someone of a non-footballing persuasion had scrolled down an average Twitter timeline mere moments after England’s 3-0 win over Senegal on Saturday they would be under the impression that Kylian Mbappe is destined to score at least a brace in Al Khor, and that Les Bleus are a beautiful marriage of Brazil ’70 and, well, France of ’98.

As for England, a team that has out-scored all other nations but Portugal in Qatar, they have been cast as underdogs, a side of limitations who will now be ruthlessly exposed coming up against an elite foe.

So where does the truth lie, if not in most of the above?

Certainly, Didier Deschamps’ reigning world champions pose a very real threat to England’s tournament hopes, and absolutely they are capable of turning on the style.

In Mbappe they possess a stonewall superstar, who appears dead-set on single-handedly decimating all before him, scoring a tournament-high of five and taking on 5.3 shots-per-game. His searing pace and unerring eye for opportunity of course makes him the likeliest grinch to ruin our Christmas.

The Golden Boot front-runner is 33/20 to have over 3.5 shots this Saturday evening.

Elsewhere, Antoine Griezmann has put in 29 crosses to date and is responsible for 3.8 key passes per 90 and if his ingenuity comes to nothing, and if Mbappe’s endeavours are foiled, France just keep going until that changes. Fifteen of their last 20 goals have been converted in second halves.

A shout-out is also warranted for Theo Hernandez who has been the best left-back in the competition.

Yet this is still a team that has kept only one clean sheet in their last 10 outings. This is still a team deprived of N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, the heart and soul of their midfield. Furthermore, with Denmark pitiful by their usual standards, and Poland far too cautious, it could be argued that additionally this is a team that has yet to be properly tested.

England will do that. With a clinical ratio of 12 goals from 21 shots on target and going into this era-defining clash on the back of three consecutive clean sheets, this is a side primed for an era-defining performance, one that finally puts to bed the tired notion that for all of their promise, and all of their potential, the Three Lions tend to come undone against the big boys.

England haven’t been awarded a pen for 10 games now in major finals. They’re due one and with the trickery of Saka and Foden, 9/2 for a spot-kick given their way is tempting.

It is pertinent that England have scored three more goals than France and conceded half their number at the other end, just as it’s revealing that Southgate’s men have been dispossessed 4.8 times fewer per game. With a better shape and balance than at any other time during Southgate’s tenure England are typically neat and tidy in possession and pick and choose when to strike. When they do it’s with real purpose and when they don’t the ball is patiently recycled, so as not to unduly trouble their defence.

France’s back-line have had to commit to just shy of ten more tackles per game than Maguire and co, and that’s against teams who have shown scant attacking adventure.

A bet builder of BTTS, under 3.5 cards, and over 2.5 shots on target by England offers up 7/2.

That incidentally is not a criticism of Aurelien Tchouameni or Adrien Rabiot, who have both impressed. It’s just that England’s midfield is better and it is desperately hoped that Southgate goes again with a three of Rice, Henderson and Bellingham, with the Liverpool star this time tethered so as not to isolate Rice, while Bellingham the boy-wonder does his generational box-to-boxing.

If Mbappe is a Ballon d’Or winner in waiting then so is Jude Bellingham, and for that matter so too is Phil Foden and it greatly excites that England have two momentous talents, both confidently putting in substantial displays on the biggest stage. Between them, the brightest elements of England’s present and future have scored twice in Qatar and assisted three times.

Add in Harry Kane, who boasts 10 direct goal involvements in 10 World Cup games for his country and unquestionably England’s gallic counterparts should be fearful of what awaits them this weekend.

If only we could admit that and embrace it.

England’s corner-count is nothing to write home about but France’s is a near tournament high. Over 4.5 corners for Les Bleus is a shout at 49/50.