StevieDay1983

Germany vs Japan
Germany has picked up a draw and a win from their two previous games against Japan, both of which produced over 2.5 goals. Die Mannschaft head into the game as the favorite and have won two of their last four matches in all competitions, including a 5-2 win over Italy in the Nations League. There is no doubt that Germany is one of the best football teams in the world, but their recent results haven't been as great as we are used to seeing from them. After all, the team failed to get out of their group at the World Cup in Russia, lost to England in the Euro 2020 Round of 16, and, in the meantime, finished third in their group in the UEFA Nations League, behind Italy and Hungary. Nevertheless, Hansi Flick's side wants to go far in this competition.
Japan has scored 11 goals in their last five matches and looks like a real threat going forward, and we expect the underdogs to test the German defense. After failing to qualify for the World Cup until 1998, Japan has qualified for each World Cup since then, so this will be their seventh appearance on the biggest football stage. The team also established itself as one of the best in Asia, having won the Asian Cup four times, more than any other team. Obviously, Japan's chances in a group with two European giants such as Germany and Spain, are not that high, but this is a solid team with some interesting guys that play in Europe. The Samurai don't want to surrender without a fight, and they will try to avoid defeat here.
Full-Time Winner Odds & Prediction                                                                            
Germany has a nicely-packed team which shouldn't have many problems against Japan. We believe they will meet expectations and possibly book a comfortable win. That's why we will dip into the Asian Handicap market.
Goals Market Prediction
Their two head-to-head clashes were pretty efficient, going over a 2.5 margin. It should be an interesting clash, and the crowd should see at least three goals in total at Khalifa International Stadium.
Germany AH -1 @ 1.75
Over 2.5 FT @ 1.70
Correct score 3:1 @ 12.00

Belgium vs Canada
Finishing third at World Cup 2018 was the best Belgium's ever done in the history of the competition, topping their previous result by one spot since they also finished fourth in 1986. After that, the team reached the quarter-finals in Euro 2020, and they were second in their group in the Nations League, so they can be optimistic ahead of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. However, the two straight defeats ahead of this tournament should keep the Red Devils alert. The team is coached by Roberto Martinez, who has been at the team's helm since 2016, which is a respectable continuity and another advantage for Belgium. Nevertheless, he cannot count on one of his most prolific players, Romelu Lukaku, who is not available due to an injury.
The last and only time Canada was at the highest stage of international football was back in 1986, in Mexico, when the team lost all three of their games. Now Canada will appear at the World Cup for the second time in their history, which is a huge result for them, but their chances of getting out of the group are a bit higher. Although the Maple Leafs will have a tough task to finish in the top two, their qualifiers campaign was quite encouraging. Canada's head coach John Herdman managed to install a winning mentality in his team as Canada not only qualified for the World Cup but did it by finishing first in the North and Central American WC Qualifiers. Alphonso Davies' absence will be a major blow for the Reds, but this team has quite a few quality players.
Full-Time Winner Odds & Prediction                                                                            
It is going to be an exciting clash, and although Belgium is a favorite, they won't have an easy job. Moreover, we don't think Canada will lose this game, and they might spice up the battle in Group F.
Goals Market Prediction
Belgium managed to keep the clean sheet just once on the previous seven occasions, while Canada has a pretty explosive offense. Therefore, we don't think either team will keep its net intact in this match. 
Canada AH +1 @ 2.03
BTTS Yes @ 1.90
Correct score 2:2 @ 19.50

I can see Canada getting something from this. Belgium typically start slow, their defense will be quite surprised with speed of the Canadian attack with Davies-David-Buchanan. However the Belgian attack will probably be too much for a shaky Canadian defense. 
BTTS and Belgium win @3.10 with bet365
 
 

Already bet Netherlands -0.5 @1.83:
Betting public is too happy about performance Ecuador and too disappointed in performance Netherlands but you can't compare those matches at all (it's a WC opening game with lot of tension and stress impacting game performance, Qatar is way below Senegal). Expect the Netherlands to grow into the WC with Van Gaal as top-coach fine-tuning the team. Van Gaal is strategical above Alfaro. Expect gready and important Memphis to play (instead of totally ineffective Jansen) and also Timber to play (instead of shaky De Ligt) with (in my opinion) better offensive skills. Don't let 2 goals Ecuador (against Qatar) fool you because Ecuador has trouble scoring goals. Before Qatar match they only scored 7 in 11 matches and never more than 1 per game (last 3 matches no goals) where I only count 3 'strong teams' and a lot of weak teams. The Dutch? 29 in 11 matches and only 2 matches with 1 goal (rest 2+) where I count 3 'strong teams' and a whole bunch of teams who are equal or slightly better than Ecuador. Maybe Valencia is out for Ecuador.

I just can't work out what Uruguay side we'll see. Diego Alonso has a tough job taking over from Oscar Tabarez and a number of the old guard are coming to the end of their careers or aren't as influential on the pitch as they used to be. Yes, it's a last hurrah for the likes of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani but there are players such as Federico Valverde and Darwin Nunez coming through. I've got them down to reach the last 16 but they'll want to finish top of their group to avoid meeting a likely opponent of Brazil in the next phase. Not sure they'd get past a tricky proposition of a Serbia or Switzerland even if they win the group mind.

you wont be surprised to learn that nobody guessed 2-1 saudis lol

Eriksen anytime 7/2 (system bet) and a couple of assists, Maehle 11/2 and Hojbjerg 13/2 Lads

Group D is, as @Heisenberg68 rightly points out, a potential banana skin. I've benefited on more than one occasion from France ballsing everything up in the group stages at a World Cup and given their injuries worries I would be very surprised if we saw them close to their best here. I still think this is a game they should be looking to win against Australia. The same goes for Denmark against Tunisia. I've backed the Danes to win this group and I can see a business-like start from them here. I wouldn't be surprised to see both France and Denmark open up with clean sheet wins.
Denmark vs Tunisia (Tuesday, 1pm GMT)
Denmark HT/FT @ 8/5 with Sporting Index
Denmark to Win to Nil @ 11/8 with BetVictor
France vs Australia (Tuesday, 4pm GMT)
France HT/FT @ 5/6 with Betfair
France to Win to Nil @ 9/10 with Unibet

Group D is, as @Heisenberg68 rightly points out, a potential banana skin. I've benefited on more than one occasion from France ballsing everything up in the group stages at a World Cup and given their injuries worries I would be very surprised if we saw them close to their best here. I still think this is a game they should be looking to win against Australia. The same goes for Denmark against Tunisia. I've backed the Danes to win this group and I can see a business-like start from them here. I wouldn't be surprised to see both France and Denmark open up with clean sheet wins.
Denmark vs Tunisia (Tuesday, 1pm GMT)
Denmark HT/FT @ 8/5 with Sporting Index
Denmark to Win to Nil @ 11/8 with BetVictor
France vs Australia (Tuesday, 4pm GMT)
France HT/FT @ 5/6 with Betfair
France to Win to Nil @ 9/10 with Unibet

Great pick. Tackles been meaty all game as well. Imagine with teams resorting to time wasting and desperation to keep the ball with the tight score-line that we'll see a couple more bookings handed out. I need a late Argentine revival to see at least one of my picks come in. Disappointing from them!

Interesting now! Taken 8/5 for over 2 cards with Hills. Big given the scoreline and current spread price.

be careful with France anyway..
the team is not the most beautiful one that we can align, but it will be very good on the ground with experienced players.
I think France will win easily 3-0 or 4-0 with a goal from Giroud.

France vs Australia
Looking at both teams' histories in the World Cup, we see a definite distinction between the two teams. France's best performance at the World Cup is a win, which includes the last tournament in Russia. However, Les Bleus haven't been confident lately, as they won only once on the previous six occasions. The French defense is solid, starting in goal with Hugo Lloris, who will surely be taking part in his final World Cup for France. Pavard, Varane, and Lucas Hernandez are the most experienced of the defenders, with the uncapped Axel Disasi earning a call-up. However, the defending champions will need to cope without this season's Ballon D'Or winner, Karim Benzema, who will miss this tournament.         
Australia's best is to get past the group stage just once in 2006. There is no more Tim Cahill or many big names for Australia to call on for what is expected to be a very challenging World Cup for the Aussies. A good part of the team is at home or playing in Scotland, and nobody plays their football in the Premier League either. Matthew Leckie will be tasked with scoring goals for Australia, having scored 13 goals in 73 games so far, although Maclaren, Mabil, and Duke are also regular scorers at the international level. Socceroos head to the World Cup full of confidence, as they booked five straight wins. Australia only has one injury concern, with doubts over attacker Martin Boyle's fitness after recovering from a knee injury. Melbourne City youngster Marco Tilio is on stand-by as his replacement.
Full-Time Winner Odds & Prediction                                                                            
It will be quite an interesting match, and fans should expect good entertainment. France won’t have an easy job, but we still believe they can pull it through and win this match. We’ll dip into the Asian Handicap market to get better odds.
Goals Market Prediction
France managed to keep the clean sheet just twice in the last eight matches, while Australia can be dangerous in the front. Therefore, we believe the crowd will see at least three goals in this encounter. 
France AH -1.25 @ 1.65
Over 2.5 FT @ 1.75
Correct score 3:1 @ 13.00

Argentina vs Saudi Arabia
Argentina has a lot of quality players in their squad, which is why it's surprising that they only won two World Cups in history. They are one of the best and most popular picks for the December World Cup title, and their first game in the group stage shouldn't present any difficulty for them. La Albiceleste booked five straight wins, and they suffered the last defeat in the summer of 2019. They easily qualified for the tournament from the top spot in the CONMEBOL zone with no losses on record, and they have one of the best arrays of footballers to pick from, so winning shouldn't be a problem for Argentina. Lionel Messi is playing perhaps the last World Cup, so the desire for the trophy will be even greater. Nevertheless, Argentina should continue being confident to have a successful start to the campaign.
Saudi Arabia has been dubbed the current odd man out in Group C because they aren't the favorites against the other three teams. Green Falcons drew the short stick when they were drawn to play in the group stage against Argentina, Poland, and Mexico. The Asian representative cannot be happy with its recent results since it won only twice on the previous ten occasions. Saudi Arabia lost to Croatia 1-0 in its final check before the tournament. They don't have many popular footballers on their team, but when the competition begins, you should watch out for Firas Al-Buraikan, who is the team's best shot at striking back in the tournament games ahead. Saudi Arabia is an underdog in this match, but it doesn't mean these guys will surrender without a fight.
Full-Time Winner Odds & Prediction                                                                            
Argentina has been in excellent form, and Saudi Arabia shouldn't pose much trouble. Therefore, we think Leo Messi and the lads will celebrate a win by at least two goals.
Goals Market Prediction
The South American champions managed to keep their net intact five times in a row. Saudi Arabia will be mostly focused on defense, and Argentina should record another clean sheet. 
Argentina AH -2 @ 1.92
BTTS No @ 1.45
Correct score 3:0 @ 6.50

Done Messi brace at 4/1 Hills for an interest, not a bad price.

I know I'm talking 'afterwards', but Noppert is the best decision Van Gaal made so far. He's the best goalie at the moment even if he's inexperienced. I had Netherlands -0.75 @1.95 btw so I'm happy with the result! Though a 0-1 or 0-0/1-1 was a more realistic result based on performance.

You've got more faith than I have, @yossa6133! In all seriousness, we've not even gotten started yet. Worst I've seen us play for years. Rob Page messed up the tactics in that first half. Correct a few things. Bring Kieffer Moore on, give us a focal point, settle down, and be better with the ball. Also, not sit so bloody deep! Even at 1-0 down we had 8 players in our own third when we had possession! Madness. 64 years we've waited. We can't waste such an opportunity to show what we can do. It would be unforgivable.

OK, here we go! It's Group B action on Monday as England play Iran and USA take on Wales. I think it goes without saying that the general feeling is that England should get an expected victory over their opponents. I think it'll be tight with Iran sitting back as they reportedly look set to start with a back five. I think a clean sheet win for England at either 1-0 or 2-0 seems likely. The USA versus Wales game is tougher to call because I have my bias hat on. I say it's biased but that's more with a pessimist slant to it. I'm going to favour the 1-1 draw. This does feel very similar to our opening game of the 2020 European Championship against Switzerland so I can see it being nervous and edgy. I certainly think the US fans are under-estimating us but I don't think their players or management are, which will make it very tough. Both teams do possess the quality to win the game though so it's going to be very intense.
England vs Iran (Monday, 1pm GMT)
England to Win to Nil @ 37/40 with BetVictor
Anytime Scorer: Harry Kane @ 6/5 with Unibet
USA vs Wales (Monday, 7pm GMT)
Draw @ 19/9 with VBet
BTTS @ 11/10 with Betfair

I've gone Bergwijn to score at 4.2 and Dumfries and Berghuis assists at 13/2 Lads and 5.6 (9/2 in at least a couple of places). Also hoping for a Gakpo goal or two from an antepost perspective. Gut feel here corresponds with @StevieDay1983's take on things; The Dutch win and >2.5 goals.

It was a fascinating opening game. I think we can all agree what we were thinking when that first goal was disallowed but good job it was in the end for those that backed under 2.5 goals being scored!  It's the second day of action on Monday and it's the second Group A game with Senegal playing Netherlands. Sadio Mane is absent so I think that's a killer blow for their chances in this game. I still think Senegal will put up a decent fight but I really like this Oranje side under Louis Van Gaal.
Senegal vs Netherlands (Monday, 4pm GMT)
Netherlands to Win @ 7/10 with Unibet
Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 11/8 with SpreadEx

On Sterling to score at 4.5. Looks big and a system bet for me anyway.

Had the tenner allowed on England to win at evens with Hills. Would hardly put my life savings on it but still worth taking on a "value" tip. I think we either win ugly or easily depending on how long Iran are able to offer stern resistance.

OK, here we go! It's Group B action on Monday as England play Iran and USA take on Wales. I think it goes without saying that the general feeling is that England should get an expected victory over their opponents. I think it'll be tight with Iran sitting back as they reportedly look set to start with a back five. I think a clean sheet win for England at either 1-0 or 2-0 seems likely. The USA versus Wales game is tougher to call because I have my bias hat on. I say it's biased but that's more with a pessimist slant to it. I'm going to favour the 1-1 draw. This does feel very similar to our opening game of the 2020 European Championship against Switzerland so I can see it being nervous and edgy. I certainly think the US fans are under-estimating us but I don't think their players or management are, which will make it very tough. Both teams do possess the quality to win the game though so it's going to be very intense.
England vs Iran (Monday, 1pm GMT)
England to Win to Nil @ 37/40 with BetVictor
Anytime Scorer: Harry Kane @ 6/5 with Unibet
USA vs Wales (Monday, 7pm GMT)
Draw @ 19/9 with VBet
BTTS @ 11/10 with Betfair

USA vs Wales
The Yanks were anything but impressive in the qualifiers for the showpiece tournament, with the team finishing the process in the third position, and they surely face a difficult task in their opener. They won seven of 14 games in the qualifiers, and only thanks to a better goal difference they avoided the playoffs path. The USA has been searching for a win on the previous three occasions, and they booked a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia in their final check before the World Cup 2022. A man to watch in the home team will be Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic, while Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie made the cut after overcoming his injury. They will have a tough job in Group B, and this is just the first challenge of three.                                                              
Wales plays in the World Cup for the first time since 1958, and if we have learned anything from The Dragons' last two outings at the Euros, it's to underestimate them at your peril. Cymru lost only once in the WC qualifiers and finished second in the group, behind Belgium. It secured them a playoff spot, where they were better than Austria and Ukraine. Robert Page went with largely the squad selection most expected of him, although there was no room for QPR's Tyler Roberts or Sheffield Wednesday's Will Vaulks. Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey provide the goal threat from midfield, while Kieffer Moore or Brennan Johnson will likely lead the line as the lone striker. However, Wales should improve its game to go through the group stage since they lost three times in a row.
Full-Time Winner Odds & Prediction                                                                            
Neither team has been convincing in the latest period, and this match can easily go either way. Therefore, we wouldn't be surprised if these two teams split points in their first match in the World Cup 2022.
Goals Market Prediction
It will be a tight game, and we shouldn't expect too many goals. Their both h2h matches stayed under a 2.5 margin, and this one shouldn't be much different.
Draw @ 3.05
Under 2.5 FT @ 1.55
Correct score 0:0 @ 6.50

Senegal vs Netherlands
Senegal is through to their third World Cup tournament, having reached the quarter-finals in 2002 before going out at the group stage four years ago. The Lions of Teranga didn't have any trouble in the group stage of the qualifiers, allowing just a point to their opponents. Nevertheless, the biggest challenge came against Egypt, and they managed to make it through the final tournament after the penalty shootout. They performed with credit at Russia 2018, though, beating Poland and drawing with Japan before losing 1-0 to Colombia. The Lions of Teranga will travel to Qatar full of confidence, having claimed a first major trophy with victory at this year's delayed African Cup of Nations. However, they will need to cope without their superstar Sadio Mane, who is out injured and won't feature in the World Cup squad.                                                                            
The Netherlands have been runners-up at the World Cup on three occasions and were third in Brazil in 2014, so failing to qualify for Russia 2018 was a major blow. The Dutch must have feared the worst when they lost their first Qatar 2022 qualifier 4-2 to Turkey in Istanbul. However, they avenged that defeat in style when they won the second leg 6-1 in their nine-match unbeaten run, which included seven wins. That was enough to finish two points ahead of Turkey and five ahead of Norway. They haven't lost 15 times in a row, and the Netherlands go to this tournament full of confidence. Nevertheless, it's going to be a tricky challenge for them.
Full-Time Winner Odds & Prediction                                                                            
The Netherlands are favorites in this encounter, but Senegal will search for its chance to secure a positive result. Nevertheless, the European side has been more consistent recently, and we believe they will meet expectations.
Goals Market Prediction
It should be an entertaining match, and the crowd should enjoy a lot of action in front of both goals. The Netherlands managed to keep the clean sheet just twice on the previous eight occasions, and we expect both teams to score on Monday afternoon.
Netherlands to Win @ 1.60
BTTS Yes @ 2.20
Correct score 1:3 @ 17.00