Norway clash with Senegal and Jordan take on Algeria in the World Cup matches taking place in the early hours of Tuesday morning and later in the day Portugal come up against Uzbekistan and England meet with Ghana
Group I Norway vs Senegal (New Jersey)
After the opening round of matches in this group Norway and France both have 3 points whilst Senegal and Iraq have yet to get off the mark. Before this France play Iraq on Monday and you can read our preview here.
Norway:
In the early stages of these groups it seems that the majority of the big name strikers from the more fancied countries are getting themselves on the scoresheet and that was also true of Norway’s Erling Haaland who scored 2 of their goals in a 4-1 win over Iraq in Boston in their opening game. Haaland’s goals came in the first half either side of an Iraq equalizer, Leo Ostigard made it 3-1 on 76 minutes and an Iraq own goal at the death rounded off the scoring. Norway had 25 touches in the opposition box, 5 of their 12 shots were on target and they were awarded 5 corners.
Senegal:
Senegal’s opening match saw them go down 3-1 to France in New Jersey. The first half ended without a goal but Senegal went closest with Nicolas Jackson hitting the woodwork. France took the lead on 66 minutes and made it 2-0 on 82 minutes. Senegal’s goal came through Ibrahim Mbaye just into injury time but there still time for France to add a third. Senegal registered 2 shots on target and they were also awarded 4 corners.
The Betting:
Norway are priced at around 11/8 to win the game with the draw available at 12/5 and Senegal can be backed at around 19/10.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 9/10 and its 7/10 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
Norway have probably done enough to get through already but have aspirations of topping the group and they will certainly want to finish in the top 2. Senegal have the insurance of having Iraq still to play but they will want top get off the mark beforehand.
I’m hoping the above is a recipe for both teams to score in a game of 3 goals or more.
Bets: Both teams to score and over 2.5 total goals? Yes at 12/10 with Sportingbet
Claim Your New Player Deposit Bonus Up To R15000
Note, odds are subject to change
Group J Jordan vs Algeria (San Francisco)
Argentina and Austria set the pace in this group with 3 points a piece whilst these two sides have yet to open their account. You can read our preview of Monday’s clash between Argentina and Austria here.
Jordan
This is Jordan’s first appearance in the World Cup Finals and their opening game against Austria in San Francisco ended in a 3-1 defeat. They were 1-0 down at half time but Ali Olwan made history with their equalizer early in the second period. It stayed that way until Yazan Al Arab put through his own net on 76 minutes and Austria added a third from the penalty spot deep into injury time. Jordan registered 4 shots on target and were awarded 3 corners.
Algeria
Algeria struggled to lay a glove on Argentina in Kansas City in their opening match and they went down 3-0. They conceded once in the first half and twice in the second, they failed to register an attempt on target and both sides were awarded two corners.
The Betting:
Jordan are priced at around 9/2 to win the game with the draw available at 3/1 and Algeria can be backed at around 6/10
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 19/20 and it’s the same price for both teams to score
The Verdict:
In horse racing terms this represents a drop in class for Algeria who took on the World Champs in their first group match but Jordan showed plenty of spirit against Austria and only came unstuck late on. This does represent the most realistic opportunity for a win for both sides and with that in mind I’m with over 2.5 goals in total.
Bets: Total goals over 2.5 at 19/20 with Sportingbet
Note, odds are subject to change
Group K Portugal vs Uzbekistan (Houston)
After the opening round of matches Colombia top this group with 3 points, Portugal and DR Congo both have 1 and Uzbekistan are yet to open their account. Colombia will take on DR Congo in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Portugal
Portugal were huge favourites to start their tournament with a win over DR Congo in Houston but they had to settle for a -1 draw. Joao Neves was set up by Pedro Neto to put them in front after just 6 minutes but despite having more than 75% of the ball they created very little else, DR Congo were level just before half time and there was no further scoring. Portugal were awarded 5 corners to DRC’s 4 but a total of 7 shots (1 on target) was a very poor return given the possession stats.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan came up against Colombia in what was their World Cup Finals debut in Mexico City and they went down 3-1. Colombia took the lead just before half time but on the hour mark Abbosbek Fayzullaev squared things up for Uzbekistan. Their joy was short lived as 5 minutes later Colombia were back in front and they conceded a third deep into injury time. Uzbekistan hit the woodwork twice and 2 of their own shots were on target.
The Betting:
Portugal are priced at around 1 / 5 to win the game with the draw available at 23/4 and Uzbekistan can be backed at around 12/1
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 4/7 and its 13/10 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
Portugal were disappointing against DRC in terms of creativity but this is a golden chance to kick start their tournament and I’m with Bruno Fernades to score anytime.
Bets: Anytime goalscorer Bruno Fernandes at 17/10 with Sportingbet
Note, odds are subject to change
Group L England vs Ghana (Boston)
After the opening round of matches England and Ghana both have 3 points whilst Croatia and Panama, who meet on Wednesday are still looking for their first points of the tournament.
England
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 3-1 before Rashford rounded off the scoring of what was a terrific contest. England had 22 shots, half of which were on target and they forced 8 corners to Croatia’s 2.
Ghana
Ghana’s opening match against Panama in Toronto looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw but in the fifth minute of injury time Caleb Yirenkyi broke the deadlock and the Black Stars came through with a 1-0 win. It was a tight game with Ghana registering just 2 shots on target and 2 corners and they were arguably a touch fortunate to take maximum points.
The Betting:
England are priced at around 2 / 9 to win the game with the draw available at 11/2 and Ghana can be backed at around 25/2
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 13/20 and its 14/10 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
England were a lot more entertaining to watch than I had imagined in their win over Croatia. Jude Bellingham had his best game for some time and he gets my vote to score any time.
Bets: Anytime goalscorer Jude Bellingham at 2.15/1 with Betway
Note, odds are subject to change