What do Colombians make of Albion winger Jose Izquierdo and the World Cup?

What are the strengths of Jose Pekerman's team and are they capable of wrecking England's hopes in Russia?

Andy Naylor gets the low-down on tonight's last 16 opponents in Moscow from English football writer Simon Edwards, who has lived in Colombia for eight years and has a weekly South American podcast on World Football Index.

How do Colombians feel about the England game?

"I've seen a couple of polls and the people are happier to be playing England rather than Belgium, 89 per cent in one of them.

"The team hasn't really played to its potential at all since 2014 (quarter-finalists in Brazil).

"On paper the squad right now is stronger than it was last time around, but the manager has made so many changes. Fifty-odd players were used in qualifying, he's been very responsive.

"So if Colombia play against a team really strong in defence he'll bring in five new attackers, if they are playing at altitude he'll bring in five athletic players.

"There hasn't been much consistency in selection. They haven't really played well until the Poland game (won 3-0).

"So in terms of the feeling in Colombia, they can sense there is a team there, but we haven't really seen it on the pitch.

"The main objective for this World Cup was to have a big game against a big side to establish Colombia again as one of the top teams. England fit that."

How popular is English football in Colombia?

"The biggest two teams are Real Madrid and Barcelona. Everyone supports one of them. EL Clasico is huge. Apart from that, English football is probably the most popular.

"Anyone informed knows the best Premier League players aren't English and even the more casual fan would notice there aren't many big names in this England side.

"But it's the historical side of things as well. Carlos Sanchez said in an interview: 'We're not favourites, we are playing against a country that invented football, that has the biggest league.'

"Those who know think Colombia have a good chance, but there is the weight of history and the name associated with England, even if the individual players don't have that reputation yet.

"Having a big game game against a big European side and potentially one that Colombia can beat could re-define the World Cup for them, so there is a lot of excitement."

How is Albion winger Jose Izquierdo regarded (below rear centre) in Colombia?

The Argus: "Before he moved to Europe he wasn't massively hyped. He played for (Deportivo) Pereira, a second division team at the time, and moved onto (Once) Caldas, which again is a good team but not one of the big six or seven teams.

"If you are not with one of them you kind of fall under the radar. He's a name that people would think: 'He's quite a good player, maybe my team could buy him', and then he disappered off to Europe (with Brugge).

"So in terms of casual Colombian fans, he didn't have a great group of fans really pushing for him to get in the team. Caldas are a mid-level team, decent-sized stadium within the coffee region of Colombia, but it's not as if he played for a Nacional with 50 million fans desperate to get him on the pitch, so that held him up a little bit because he wasn't a fans' favourite for one of the bigger sides.

"But he's obviously had a really good season and, in terms of the Colombian squad, the biggest case that can be made for his inclusion is that he is a perfect balance for (Juan) Cuadrado (below centre) on the right, somebody who can also track back a little bit as well."

The Argus: How much of a blow will it be to Colombia's chances if James Rodriguez is not fit to play?

"There is no tear in the muscle, but there is fluid in that area of the knee, so it looks like he isn't going to be fit. (Juan) Quintero has done incredibly well and he only has an important role at the moment because James was out for that first game (defeat by Japan).

"He came in as No.10 and Quintero is incredibly good on the ball. His passing is potentially even better than James.

"He hadn't played 90 minutes before the World Cup from about December last year, because his fitness isn't good enough. He comes on as a sub for River Plate (in Argentina) or plays 65 minutes, but his technical level is incredible.

"He is kind of a wasted talent. He doesn't have the drive of James, so he's (Rodriguez) a big loss, but because Quintero has been so good he has to be picked.

"Colombia at times, against an organised team, will struggle with two playmakers. We saw against Senegal that they just couldn't get the ball to them because they were pushed so high and had such good defensive organisation.

"I think against some of the stronger teams it's difficult to justify picking two luxury playmakers. Maybe Izquierdo might be the solution to give them more width on the left and support.

Who is going through to the quarter-finals?

"If England were playing Japan they would be strong favourites, but Colombia have a lot of ways to hurt England.

"I am surprised where all this confidence has suddenly come from (for England). Before the World Cup everyone was saying quarter-finals would be a great achievement, now anything less than the semis is disappointment.

"Colombia will be dangerous. Cuadrado running at the full-back, I would back him most times if he is on form.

"Quintero's passing can really open up the defence and if he finds space they need to get someone close to him very quickly.

"The centre-back, (Yerry) Mina, has scored five goals in 12 games. He is unstoppable if the service is right.

"Those are the ways that England can be hurt. In terms of the result, it all comes down to if Colombia play as they can.

"They rarely do, but on paper I would say Colombia have a stronger team - a more dangerous X1, a quicker X1, more dynamic passing.

"But young centre-backs that are very good but inexperienced. If Harry Kane gets half-a-yard....If you push me for a result I'd say 2-1 to Colombia.