Group G Predictions (England, Belgium, Tunisia, Panama)

[StevieDay1983]

It's the group that many on this forum will be taking a keen interest in. England will be pleased with this group. Belgium will provide a stern test in their final group game but there will be a lot of expectation that demands the Three Lions will have qualified for the last 16 by then with wins over Panama and Tunisia. However, England teams do tend to come unstuck against the so-called weaker opposition. What bets will you guys be placing here?

[StevieDay1983]

Taking a quick look at this group. I think it could be worth backing England to win the group of goal difference. I can see them and Belgium battling out a draw.  England's potential front line attack is one of the most exciting at the tournament. It's just a shame their defence and central midfield is likely to hold them back. Panama were awful against Wales in a friendly. The CONCACAF side scored a fortunate injury-time equaliser against a severely weakened Welsh side that dominated the game. I can see them getting turned over by everyone in this group.

[Tel79]

If England can go into the final game top then we may only need a draw against Belgium to win it, we can't slip up against Tunisia and Panama, this could send us home early. The advantage England have is that both their games are played after Belgiums games. If we beat Tunisia then by the time we play Panama we would know how many we would need to score to be above Belgium going into the last game. England to win the group is a great bet as you could lay it off going into the final game. 

[StevieDay1983]

Wouldn't it be so typical of England to drop points against Tunisia or Panama but then beat Belgium! 

[StevieDay1983]

Belgium vs Panama

Group G gets underway on Monday afternoon when a side many are tipping as dark horses in Belgium play arguably the weakest nation in the tournament in Panama for a 4pm BST kick-off at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi. If we're being honest, this could be an absolute annihilation.

Belgium are packed with a wealth of talent. They continue to be labelled as Belgium's Golden Generation with too many world class players to name but do they have what it takes to make individuals such as Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, and Romelu Lukaku play as a team?

Panama stunned world football by qualifying for the tournament at the expense of the USA. It can be argued that it was poetic justice after USA robbed their 2014 World Cup spot from Panama four years earlier in dramatic fashion. Even so, not many people expected to see Panama qualifying for this tournament.

As a Wales fan, I've had first hand experience of both of these teams. Granted, I've not seen Belgium under Roberto Martinez but I've heard they maintain a lot of the same issues they had under Marc Wilmots. We battered them 3-1 at the 2016 European Championship. We also drew with them and beat in that tournament's qualification. I've not see anything since that makes me feel they can really push on and go far in this tournament but I still feel they have it in them to tear a team apart. They just lack the consistency.

Panama were awful when we played them in a friendly with a back-up side. They needed an injury time equaliser to draw with us. It was a game where we lacked most of our first team and gave debuts to half a dozen players. We really should have stuck 3 or 4 on them as well. So, as you can imagine, I'm not holding out much hope for them in this tournament. They are limited in their ability, they are aggressive, and technically capable teams will tear them apart.

That is how I see this game going. Martinez might be a manager that has his weaknesses but he has enough experience to know how to get the win here. This Belgium team thrives when it gets a solid lead and I can genuinely see Belgium sticking 3 or 4 on Panama if they can break the back-line in the first half hour. I believe they will do that.

Belgium -2 @ 2.62 with Betfair

Belgium HT/FT @ 1.67 with Ladbrokes

[StevieDay1983]

Tunisia vs England

It's the one that a lot of members on this forum are looking forward to as England get their World Cup off the ground with an opening game against Tunisia in a 7pm BST kick-off at the Volgograd Arena in Volgograd. It makes a change that England enter this tournament with absolutely no expectations from their fans or media.

Tunisia have long been one of the strongest nations in Africa but this is only their 5th appearance at the World Cup and their first tournament since 2006. If you're wondering who plays for Tunisia then you're struggling to look for big stars beyond former Sunderland winger Wahbi Khazri.

England are now undefeated in 10 games so they are building confidence. Question marks still remain over their defence with some doubting that head coach Gareth Southgate even knows what his best line-up is. However, there is no doubt that England possess one of the most exciting attacks at the tournament with the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling, and Marcus Rashford amongst their front-line options.

Nabil Maaloul's side performed as expected in qualifying. They won 4 and drew 2 of their six games from the final round of qualifying. An impressive display but they did only have to face opposition in the mould of DR Congo, Libya, and Guinea. Even then they only sneaked in at top of the group with a draw at home to Libya in the final game. It hardly inspires confidence in their squad heading into this tournament.

As a Welshman, I'm defying the stereotype and I actually hope England do well. I have lots of family and friends that are English. I also think they have a good team spirit. Their best in a long time. It's surprising how far that can take you. You only need to look at the likes of Wales, Iceland, Costa Rica, Senegal, Ghana, South Korea, and Japan over the past 20 years in major international competition.

I'm not expecting much from this game. Southgate has England playing a pragmatic but effective style of football. He's experienced as a player and manager to appreciate patience in football. I can imagine he'll be happy with a win here and won't be looking too deeply at the performance right now. I'm backing England to win but it'll likely be dull but it will be a start with a win that they want.

England to win to nil @ 2.05 with Boylesports

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1,73 with SunBets

[Icongene]

England to  win to nil looks huge?

[StevieDay1983]

24 minutes ago, Icongene said:

England to  win to nil looks huge?

I know. It's not like Tunisia have any massive goal threats. I'm a bit confused by the price. Unless the bookies really aren't rating the England back-line? I mean, they did concede against Nigeria.

[markus808]

I went with CS England 1-0 (@5.5) and 2-0 (@6.5) with Betfair as it gives me somewhat better odds than England to win to nil or under 2.5. It is more of a fun bet based purely on a desired outcome because I have no idea how strong England really is but it's a must win for them if they want top the group, Southgate seems straightforward guy and I'm seeing them taking the points.

[StevieDay1983]

On 6/17/2018 at 9:22 AM, markus808 said:

I went with CS England 1-0 (@5.5) and 2-0 (@6.5) with Betfair as it gives me somewhat better odds than England to win to nil or under 2.5. It is more of a fun bet based purely on a desired outcome because I have no idea how strong England really is but it's a must win for them if they want top the group, Southgate seems straightforward guy and I'm seeing them taking the points.

Southgate seems to fully appreciate how much of a challenge this game will be and that's half the battle won. I think you're spot on with those correct score suggestions.

[traderman64]

Lukaku score a goal today 

[harry_rag]

57 minutes ago, traderman64 said:

Lukaku score a goal today 

Hopefully a header! 10/1 with Hills or 9/1 Lads seems reasonable.

Also 10/1 De Bruyne to score from outside the area. Seen 16/1 for him to score a free kick but I've bought his free kick goal minutes at 3 with SX.

[AlexD]

Got Brazil to lift the trophy with Lukaku as a top goalscorer @ 80.0 in a local betting den.

Belgium HT/FT with no goals conceded combined with England to nil sounds like a neat combo for today for me.

Fingers crossed, and also hoping for a good show from Belgium.

[traderman64]

Belgium will win easilly for me. 3-0 or 4-0 

[StevieDay1983]

10 minutes ago, traderman64 said:

Belgium will win easilly for me. 3-0 or 4-0 

Yeah, I can't express how awful I thought Panama were against Wales. Undoubtedly, the worst team I've seen play at international level that are ranked inside the world's top 75 teams. I caught them in their 6-0 pasting against Switzerland. Again, very poor. Maybe they save their best performances for when I don't see. I'd back Belgium to win to nil as well.

[Icongene]

I'll take England to win to nil @ 2.00

Also CS 2-0 England @ 6.00

Don't think it'll be an easy game but England should win with a bit to spare.

Assuming Southgate goes with the two holding mids they should be able to tighten up and close a game out comfortably against crap like Tunisia.

 

 

[Mindfulness]

[Sir Puntalot]

@Icongene Tunisia are no mugs, they gave Spain the runaround just before the WC started and have 6 players that could have played for France (squad though).

Anyway, England were quick and tasty at times and the system is one the players seem to know, but still very very shaky at the back. Hard to make any real concise opinion how good England are, but a lot of improvement is needed.

Panama will get smacked silly I know that much, way too much direct pace for them to handle.

[Icongene]

 

21 hours ago, Sir Puntalot said:

@Icongene Tunisia are no mugs, they gave Spain the runaround just before the WC started and have 6 players that could have played for France (squad though).

Anyway, England were quick and tasty at times and the system is one the players seem to know, but still very very shaky at the back. Hard to make any real concise opinion how good England are, but a lot of improvement is needed.

Panama will get smacked silly I know that much, way too much direct pace for them to handle.

Had they not been given a soft penalty it would have ended in a right comfortable walk in the park for England. A 2nd goal in the opening spell and they'd have been on the end of a Saudi Arabiaesque hammering.

Tunisia had the goal scoring threat of Scotland playing 4-6-0 under Craig Levein.

[waynecoyne]

panama v england on sunday

Harry maguire seems to have more license to get forward than the other 2 centre backs and was a danger at set pieces also.

His goal minutes are 6 to buy with spreadex which seems fair enough.

[StevieDay1983]

Belgium vs Tunisia

Group G is up for its second round of matches this coming Saturday with tournament dark horses Belgium set to play a potential banana skin fixture against a resilient Tunisia in a 1pm kick-off at the Otkritie Arena in Moscow. Can Roberto Martinez's side take a big step closer to qualifying for the last 16 or will Nabil Maaloul's team cause an upset?

It turned out OK for Belgium in their opening game against Panama with a comfortable 3-0 win. Panama held on until half-time but it was the second half when the wheels came off. The first half did pose a series of questions about Martinez's tactical competence. His defensive tactics were once again questionable and the decision to persist in playing Kevin De Bruyne so deep remains a mystery.

Tunisia came very close to holding England to a draw. It can be argued that they wouldn't have deserved it. England could have been 3-0 or 4-0 up within the first 20 minutes. Throw into that the fact that Tunisia's penalty was their only real chance on goal and England should have had a penalty or two for the man-handling of Harry Kane at set-pieces in the penalty area.

This really should be a business-like win for Belgium. Even taking into consideration Martinez's tactical weaknesses there is enough talent in this Belgium side to win a game like this. Tunisia disappointed me in the first game. I expected a bit more solidity at the back. I also thought they were have more courage to their play. Their performance has made me uncertain they can even beat Panama such is their lack of threat up top.

My opinion of Belgium hasn't really changed from 2014 and 2016. A set of cracking individuals that simply cannot play as a team. Martinez is undoubtedly more capable than his predecessor Marc Wilmots but I can't see this Belgian team progressing further than the Quarter-Finals. They should see off a very average Tunisia side here though.

Belgium to win to nil @ 2.05 with Betfred

Romelu Lukaku to score anytime @ 1.91 with Paddy Power

[betcatalog]

Tunisia is a better team and tougher than Panama and it will not be easy for Belgium, which nevertheless has the quality to win today. There is no value in the ace, I will go with the few goals
BELGIUM vs TUNISIA @@ +2.50 Under, odds 1.85

[Magic0024]

Football Facts and Streaks regarding FIFA World Cup

Belgium have won their last 6 matches in FIFA World Cup.
Sweden have kept a clean sheet in 83% of their last 6 matches in FIFA World Cup.
Belgium are undefeated in their last 11 matches in FIFA World Cup.
Mexico are undefeated in 94% of their last 17 matches in FIFA World Cup.
South Korea have failed to score in their last 3 matches in FIFA World Cup.
Germany are undefeated in their last 6 matches against Sweden in all competitions.

You can find interesting 65 Football Betting Streaks for 23.06.2018 on this link ... http://eurofootballrumours.com/football-facts-and-streaks-23-06-2018-10045

[Bayern]

 

Belgium vs Tunisia

Both sides' performance in the 1st leg in the group stage is quite different. Belgium have beaten World Cup debutants Panama with 3 goals, thanks to a steady offensive performance. On the other hand, Tunisia have suffered a defeat to England at the last minute and failed to grab any point.

If Belgium can beat Tunisia in this match, they will have the initiative to advance into next round, while Tunisia will try their best to play in order to keep their hope of progressing alive. So this game will be crucial for both sides. 

Even though Belgium have not scored any goal until the 2nd half, they are expected to improve their ability of grabbing chances after playing their opening game. On the other hand, Tunisia have met several giants. In addition, their core goalkeeper Mouez Hassen is doubtful in this match, which will influence their morale.

The line is -1.5 for Belgium with odds at medium level. On the whole, 7M Sports believe Belgium are expected to win over Tunisia in this match.

[Landafar]

Belgium vs Tunisia

First post so be gentle..

Given the way that England dominated the set pieces against Tunisia, ....

Thought I would put this out there that Jan Vertonghen may be a good selection for anytime goal scorer at 20's in a few places but only 10's in others. Eight goals in 102 matches is not many, but at the price represents value given the way it could be a tight game.

My only concern would be he is on a yellow card and could miss this for the England match. So wait and see the line up before placing a bet.

Edited June 23, 2018 by Landafar
Inset Match

[Sir Puntalot]

 to PL @Landafar   

Interesting point on Vertonghen.  

[StevieDay1983]

England vs Panama

The result in the Belgium versus Tunisia game means that if England win against Panama in this 1pm BST kick-off this Sunday at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod then it will put themselves and Belgium into the last 16. It will also eliminate both Tunisia and Panama.

England were far from at their best in their opening 2-1 win against Tunisia but a few positives came from the game. Harry Kane showed that he can score goals on the big stage. The England players showed they could rise above an injustice such as the penalty that never was when Kane was powerslammed to the ground in the box. It also showed the fight within this England side that they kept going until the bitter end.

Panama were defensively resolute for the first 45 minutes of their World Cup campaign in their opener with Belgium. Sadly, the second 45 minutes will likely be a half they will want to forget. The 3-0 score-line actually flattering them in the end with the amount of chances Belgium had. It does not bode well for this game where England showed in the first 20 minutes against Tunisia just how dangerous they are going forward.

There are rumours circulating within the English media that Marcus Rashford will start up top with Kane. That would be a bold move but I think it's necessary. Panama will have only defence on their minds. They are just happy to be at this tournament. Qualification to the 2nd Round is not even within their trail of thought so 11 players behind the ball in the final third will be a dangerous but likely strategy for the CONCACAF side.

I'm going to have to back a dominant England win here. England haven't really put teams to the sword properly under Gareth Southgate. During qualification for this tournament, their biggest wins were 3-0 against Scotland and 4-0 against Malta. Even in that Malta game three of the goals came in the final 5 minutes.

The result here will depend on how England approach the game. If they go full throttle then it could be 4-0 or 5-0. However, it's likely Southgate will be reluctant to see his players use more energy than necessary in a game they probably see as a given. Panama are no Iceland. Panama are far worse. I think England will look to get an early goal or two then sit back and play keep ball. Save the energy levels for the Belgium game and beyond. I wouldn't be surprised if England only win this 1-0 or 2-0. I certainly can't see them conceding though.

England to win to nil @ 1.67 with BetStars

Marcus Rashford Anytime Scorer @ 2.33 with UniBet

[harry_rag]

Hills going 3/1 Kane to score in the 1st half, just featured in a TV add. With priceboost applied this is 3.23/1 and, I'd say, a point too long. Stakes may be limited but it's definitely a price worth taking.

[Magic0024]

Football Facts and Streaks regarding FIFA World Cup

England have won their last 5 matches in FIFA World Cup.
Senegal have won their last 4 matches in FIFA World Cup.
Colombia have failed to win their last 5 matches in FIFA World Cup.
England are undefeated in their last 12 matches in FIFA World Cup.
Senegal are undefeated in their last 10 matches in FIFA World Cup.
Japan are undefeated in 90% of their last 10 matches in FIFA World Cup.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Poland's last 11 games in FIFA World Cup.

You can find interesting 134 Football Betting Streaks for 24.06.2018 on this link ... http://eurofootballrumours.com/football-facts-and-streaks-24-06-2018-10052

[Tiffy]

 

Have to agree with you @StevieDay1983. It should be a comfortable win for England here. But as we saw with BEL V PAN, the Panamanians held on till half time, so they are good at defending. I also think England struggle to break resilient teams down, and they do lack real talent in the final third. We  also lack a decent set piece specialist since Beckham retired. 

We should have enough pace, power & talent to get the job done. Hopefully early on too.

I am wondering if could be a game for a corner handicap? 

Corner stats so far

ENG V TUN 7-2

BEL V PAN 9-3

England Corners AH -4 @1.9

ENG Win & BTTS NO @1.61