England will be literally roared on Wednesday night by actual lions. The Three Lions, who will play Croatia in their opening World Cup match, are being backed wholeheartedly by big cats back home. And, in a huge boost for their confidence, they are predicting Thomas Tuchel's men will emerge triumphant on the football field.
Lions Predict 3-1 Victory
According to the maned beasts at the Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent, England are set to win 3-1 in their first group game in Dallas, Texas. Rori and Yuna, two rescued lions from Ukraine, both growled affirmatively when posed the question of England's success.
Although hesitant at first, male lion Rori strutted over when handlers held up chicken for him to snack on while he mulled over Jude Bellingham's temperament. His handler Cam Whitnall, managing director at the conservation site, told the Daily Star: "He said it's going to be 3-1 England. Two goals from Harry Kane and then a tap in from Rashford."
Rori sloped off before handlers could ask him whether John Stones possesses the positional discipline required for knockout football. Luckily, his lioness pal Yuna was more forthcoming with her analysis. When asked if she thought goalkeeper Jordan Pickford still has it, she replied with a snarl which appeared to suggest she agreed he does.
Mr Whitnall said: "Yeah, she's very keen on Tuchel's 4-2-3-1 set up. It's too early for her to tell if England are going to go all the way yet - but she's confident we'll stroll to the knockout stages. She said the World Cup is wide open this year - just look at Spain in their opener."
Psychic Predictions from Big Cats
They were joined by other big cats at the site in making "psychic" predictions by choosing boxes for England's opening three Group L matches. The animals picked between boxes decorated with St George's flags and those of their opponents. Lioness sisters Amani and Lira also predicted that England will roar to victory in Dallas, Texas tonight.
Looking ahead, Rori voted for England to take all three points against Ghana next week too. But for the final group game, lioness Vanda predicted that Panama will steal a surprise victory - but six points should still be enough to see England through to the knockouts.
Mr Whitnall, who helped in the daring mission to Kyiv to fetch them, said: "Each lion has their own special story. It was tough - but it's always worth it. They can enjoy a slightly more normal life here. And crucially, it's safer for them."
A spokesperson from The Big Cat Sanctuary said: "With Thomas Tuchel's side kicking off their World Cup campaign against Croatia tomorrow, the resident lions at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent have put their paws on the line to predict England's Group L fate. Amani, Lira, Rori, and Vanda, who were all safely evacuated and rehomed from Ukraine last year, took turns choosing between the match flags during an enrichment exercise. Six points from the first two games should be more than enough to see the Three Lions safely through to the knockout stages, despite Vanda's warning of a sting in the tail."
