A weekly newspaper photographer’s “psychic” dog has predicted England’s footballers will beat Croatia tonight to make the World Cup final.

HTFP reported last week how Tilly the springer and cocker spaniel cross, who belongs to Newbury Weekly News photographer Phil Cannings, has been hailed as a “wonderdog” after correctly predicting six results during the tournament.

Tilly has since correctly guessed that England would beat Sweden in Saturday’s quarter-final, and yesterday afternoon backed the Three Lions to triumph in tonight’s clash in Moscow.

To make her predictions, Tilly has been called on to choose dog treats placed on the flags of the participating countries.

Despite interference from a feline friend while being filmed making her prediction yesterday afternoon, Tilly mopped up the treats on the cross of St George placed on the table in front of her.

In a piece accompanying the video on the NWN’s website, news editor Dan Cooper wrote: “It’s not the first time Tilly has been interrupted by Phil’s cat while trying to make a selection. She was attacked while predicting the outcome of the Brazil v Switzerland group game.

“Phil has assured us that this is all a bit of fun and that he’s not trying to exploit his pet to get rich – and we of course believe him.”