Fifa World Cup Group F gets under way on Wednesday when Morocco take on Croatia and Belgium open their campaign against Canada
Odds provided by @WorldSportsBet are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Morocco 29/10 Draw 9/4 Croatia 11/10
Morocco
Morocco boasted a 100% record in their African qualifying group to see off the likes of Guinea-Bissau, Guinea and Sudan, scoring 20 goals and conceding just 1. That set up a 2 leg play off with DR Congo and Morocco made no mistake with a 4-1 victory in the second leg for a 5-2 aggregate win.
In the AFCON finals earlier this year Morocco won 2 and drew 1 to top their group, they beat Malawi in the first knockout round but lost in extra time to Egypt in the quarter finals.
Morocco are ranked 22 by Fifa and in Russia 2018 they failed to make it out of their group. Walid Regragui is the man in charge.
Morocco are trading at 250/1 to win the tournament and 9/1 to top this group
Croatia
Croatia also topped their qualification group, finishing 1 point clear of subsequently disqualified Russia with Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta the also rans. They won 7, drew 2 and lost just 1 of their matches and conceded just 4 goals along the way.
In last year's Euro finals Croatia came through the group stage as runners up to England but they lost a thrilling Round of 16 clash with Spain, 5-3 in extra time.
Croatia, who are ranked 12th by Fifa, had a terrific WC 2018. they boasted a 100% record heading into the knockout rounds and after progressing all the way to the final via extra time or penalties they ran out steam and were thumped by France in the final.
Croatia are trading at 66/1 to win the tournament and 9/4 to top this group
The Verdict:
Morocco might prove to be one of the stronger African nations but they have pulled a tough group and will feel they need something from this match. Croatia flew under the radar for much of their run to the 2018 final and have done little wrong since. I see them as solid rather than spectacular but they are taken to edge this one by a single goal.
Bets: Winning margin, Croatia by 1 at 27/10
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Belgium 8/15 Draw 7/2 Canada 11/2
Belgium
Belgium were unbeaten in qualifying. Their record of 6 wins and 2 draws saw them top their group 5 points clear of Wales who franked the form in coming through the play offs. Czech Republic, Estonia and Belarus missed out.
Belgium came through their Euro 21 finals group with a 100% record before beating Portugal in the Round of 16 but they lost to Italy in the quarter finals.
Belgium are the 2nd ranked nation by Fifa and their third place finish in WC 2018 in Russia is as close as they have been in recent times although they were also beaten semi finalists back in 1986. Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are among the headline players Roberto Martinez can call upon.
Belgium are trading at 20/1 to win the tournament and 6/10 to top this group
Canada
Canada were surprise winners of their qualification group in North and Central America, finishing ahead of Mexico on goal difference and 3 points clear of USA and Costa Rica. They won 8 of 14 matches, drawing 4 and losing just 2.
Canada have a ranking of 41 and this is just their second appearance in the finals with the other coming way back in 1986 when they lost all 3 matches to head home early. John Herdman is the coach who has masterminded their campaign this time around.
Canada are trading at 500/1 to win the tournament and 12/1 to top this group
The Verdict:
Some of Belgium's golden generation are well into their 30's and Lakuku has had little game time for his club this season but with the likes of De Bruyne and Tielemans driving the midfield I fancy they will be in the goals and those 2 players are my any time scorer picks.
Canada are an unknown quantity to me, they did really well to top their qualifying group but I don't think they will be able to hold Belgium who I'm hoping will find the net 3 times or more.
Bets: Belgium total goals over 2.5 at 7/4
Anytime goalscorer De Bruyne at 2/1
Anytime goalscorer Tielemans at 15/4
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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