England will be literally roared on Wednesday night (June 17) by actual lions. The Three Lions, who will play Croatia in their opening World Cup , 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. According to the maned beasts at the Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden in Kent, England are set to win 3-1 in their first group game in Dallas, Texas in the US.
Rori and Yuna - two rescued lions from Ukraine - both growled affirmatively when we posed the question of England’s success.
Rori the lion was impressed by England's chances (Image: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY)
Although hesitant at first, male lion Rori strutted over to us when we held up some 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 we could ask him whether John Stones possesses the positional discipline required for knock out football. Luckily his lioness pal Yuna was more forthcoming with her analysis.
Tom McGhie was asking the questions (Image: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY)
We asked if she thought goalkeeper Jordan of 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 knock out stages. She said the World Cup is wide open this year - just look at Spain in their opener.”
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 big cats will be roaring on the Three Lions (Image: The Big Cat Sanctuary / SWNS)
The animals picked between the 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 still see England through to the knockouts.
It's good news for England fans... if you take stock in the growls of lions (Image: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY)
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.
Yuna the lioness said England are going to win 3-1 (Image: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY)
“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.”
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