Spain are safely into football's World Cup final, but will it be England or Argentina who they face?

With snooker yet to acquire its first Argentinian professional, we've spoken to four English stars to see how they think their side will fare in tonight's blockbuster semi-final showdown.

How do England stop Messi?

Alfie Burden

I don't really think you can stop Messi. We just need to be compact as a team and defend well. You have to be aware of him, so I would think we need to look to double up on him when we can. With someone as good as him, you don't focus on how you stop him.

Jimmy Robertson

The thing is it is hard to stop Messi when he has the ball. I don't see Argentina as a massive problem for England, but they are going to have to play well. The Mexico game was unbelievable and I'm glad I stayed up to watch that. If we can play like that I think we will be alright, but they didn't play well at all against Norway.

Ben Woollaston

He's done great in this World Cup, but he can't be as good as he used to be. When he has a great game it is hard to stop him though. I think we are going to concede as we haven't been great defensively but I just think we will score more goals.

Michael Holt

How to stop Messi is a conundrum people have been trying to figure out for many years. I think you just need to look after him and be careful but he's the best ever arguably. There isn't much you can do. If we have the ball he can't score!

Other than Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham, who has been England's standout player?

Alfie Burden

For me, I think the young lad Nico O'Reilly. I know him well as he used to play against my son, Lene, right through the age groups. He was at Man City when Lene was at Arsenal. He has been outstanding at left back. To come in as a young player with no real tournament experience has been exceptional.

Jimmy Robertson

I feel like we need lot more from Madueke if he plays. I think Gordon could be important. To be honest with you other than Kane and Bellingham nobody has been that impressive. It is hard to point to anyone else who has stood out. They have scored 12 goals out of the 13.

Ben Woollaston

In the last two matches I think Gordon has played quite well, especially against Mexico. To be honest, in the group stage I felt he was poor and was wondering why he was playing. He really upped it since then though.

Michael Holt

I'm slightly biased as a Nottingham Forest fan but Elliot Anderson. He won't get the headlines like Bellingham and Kane, but the work he does is brilliant. He never loses the ball. What a footballer the lad is. I think he will shine at Manchester City.

What will the score be?

Alfie Burden

I think England are going to win 3-1. Saka will score and Kane will get two.

Jimmy Robertson

I'm going to go for England 2-1. Messi will score and Bellingham will get the winner.

Ben Woollaston

I think it is going to be 3-1 to England.

Michael Holt

I think there are going to be goals. I don't think either defence is amazing and they both have fantastic forward players. I'm going to go 3-2 England.

Where are you going to watch the game?

Alfie Burden

We are debating having a BBQ at the club and watching it on the big screen on the roof. If not then I've spoken to my son and daughter and we will have a Dominos at home.

Jimmy Robertson

I'm hoping to be at the Mattioli if I can get to the last round of the Championship League. If that doesn't go well then who knows. Will see how it goes. (Sadly Jimmy didn't qualify!)

Ben Woollaston

Just at home with my two boys. I wasn't going to watch the Mexico game, but my oldest son insisted we got up and watched it. In the end it was worth getting up for, it was the best game of the whole tournament I think.

Michael Holt

Normally I'd like to watch it at the pub. Now my little boy Jude is eight and he loves it. He's obsessed with football. He talks about it from the minute he gets up to when he goes to bed. I'm going to watch it with Jude and a load of snacks.

English Snooker Stars Preview World Cup Semi-final - Is It Coming Home?