Wednesday's second World Cup Round of 32 match up comes from Atlanta where England clash with DR Congo
England
England topped Group L with 2 wins and 1 draw. Thei tally of 7 points was 1 more than runners up Croatia whilst Ghana finished third with 4 points and also made the cut. Panama failed to earn a point or score a goal and were eliminated.
England secured top spot in the group with a 2-0 win over Panama in New Jersey. Given Panama had only pride to play for it wasn’t a result to set the pulse racing and it took just over an hour to score the first goal (Bellingham) and Harry Kane added the second shortly afterwards.
In their second match of the tournament England played out a dour 0-0 draw with Ghana in Boston. They had almost 80% of possession but couldn’t find a way through although substitute Nico O'Reilly hot the woodwork late on.
England took on Croatia in Dallas in their opening game and they came out on top 4-2. Harry Kane opened the scoring early on with a retaken penalty but Croatia were level on 36 minutes. England skipper Kane then headed his side back in front from a corner just before half time but England lost concentration and Croatia made it 2-2 on the stroke of half time. England were quickly out of the blocks in the second half and Bellingham made it 3-2 before Rashford rounded off the scoring of what was a terrific contest.
DR Congo
DRC came through Group K as a best third placed finisher to reach the knockout rounds for the first time. Colombia topped that quartet with 7 points and Portugal were runners up with 5 points. DRC were third with 4 and Uzbekistan lost all 3 of their matches and were eliminated.
DRC went into their final group match against Uzbekistan at this venue in the knowledge only a victory would keep them in the tournament. It wasn’t looking good when they conceded after just 10 minutes and they only go on top in the second half when goals from Yoane Wissa (twice) and Fiston Mayele helping them to a 3-1 victory.
DR Congo went down 1-0 to Colombia in their second match Guadalajara. They kept they South Americans out for 76 minutes and only after they fell behind did we see them start to threaten but to no avail.
DR Congo’s first action saw them hold Portugal to a 1-1 draw in Houston. They were 1-0 down in just 6 minutes but regained their composure and despite being starved of possession they kept Portugal at bay and Wissa drew them level just before the break and that’s how it finished.
The Betting (Regulation time unless stated otherwise)
England are priced at around 2/7 to win the game with the draw available at 4/1 and DR Congo can be backed at around 11/1
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 8/10 and its 31/20 for both teams to score
Harry Kane is 24/10 to score the first goal of the match
England to score in both halves is priced at 11/10
The Verdict:
England’s opening game against Croatia was entertaining and full of games but after that they played 3 halves of football (two against Ghana and one against Panama) where they dominated possession but created very little.
I think DRC will set up to frustrate and look to play on the counter but I do think the game should open up in the second half and I’m looking for 2 goals or more after the break.
Bets: 2nd half total goals over 1.5 at 21/20 with Hollywoodbets
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Note, odds are subject to change
