Pasamela!
Day 2.
Game 2, 3, and 4.
Egypt - Uruguay 15th June 13:00
The Pharaohs take on the sky blues in the second game of Group A, after Russia's 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia. The world's eyes will be heavily focused on Mo Salah, or more accurately, Mo Salah's shoulder, as he battles back to full fitness. Once again, both sides will be itching to get started and get their first three points on the board. Uruguay will be favourites to win (8/13 skybet) and should take advantage of Egypt's defensive frailties to go top of the group after the first round of matches.
Ones To Watch:
Not much more needs to be said about the Premier League Player of the Season, Mo Salah. He will feel the weight the nation on his shoulders but would surprise nobody if he did delight the Russian crowds with his performances in Group A. However, it may be another Premier League man, Mohamed Elneny who will be key for the Egyptians. With the obvious goal scoring potential in the side, stability will be vital and Elneny can pull the strings from central midfield, hopefully unleashing Salah and outscoring Uruguay.
Uruguay will once again be spearheaded by their lethal front two, Luis Suarez, and Edinson Cavani. With 71 goals between them for their clubs this season, no defence will want to go up against dark horses Uruguay (28/1 bet365). Rumoured new Arsenal signing, and potential competition for Elneny, Lucas Torreira could be the main man for Uruguay. The sky blues have often been spoiled for choice in attacking and defensive options, and now may have finally found their central midfield maestro. Once again, the men setting up the likes of Salah, Cavani, and Suarez, will be just as important as the goalscorers themselves in tight tournament football.
Pre Match Predictions:
Uruguay's experience throughout their side should prove invaluable. The likes of Godin, Gimenez, Vecino, Bentancur, Suarez, and Cavani all ply their trades at the very top level, and will be too strong for the relatively weak Egyptian side. Although Uruguay may improve as the tournament progresses, it is unlikely that they will try to outscore Egypt, and a low scoring game is to be expected. Even with the inform Salah, Egypt have averaged just 0.8 goals in their last 10 fixtures. Uruguay are also low scorers, with a surprisingly low 1.1 average per game, suggesting a low scoring Uruguay win.
Best Bets: Uruguay to WIN and UNDER 2.5 Goals - 2/1 (Boyle Sports)
Edinson Cavani to Score - 5/4 (Marathon Bet)
Group B kicks off with a must win game for both sides. Both nations will have little chance of qualifying for the next round after being unlucky to have been drawn alongside the Europeans giants Spain and Portugal. Morocco qualified after going unbeaten in their group, and not conceding a single goal in their six matches, keeping out Ivory Coast, Gabon, and Mali in the process. Iran topped their initial qualifying group with ease, scoring 26 from their 8 games. They were even more impressive in the second round, finishing above South Korea to top their second phase, qualifying for the World Cup.
Ones To Watch:
Morocco will be relying on their solid defence in group B. Juventus centre half Medhi Benatia will be at the heart of the Moroccan side, and will be hoping his solid Serie A form can lead Morocco to a clean sheet. However, vs Iran it will be Morocco's forwards that will decide the outcome. Ajax midfielder Hakim Ziyech, who has 9 goals in just 18 appearances for his nation, will be hoping he can emulate Denis Cheryshev and fire Morocco past Iran to give them an outside chance at qualification.
Iran will be led by AZ play maker Alireza Jahanbakhsh who ended the Eredivisie season as top scorer, with an incredible 21 goals from midfield. The Asian side will be relying heavily on Jahanbakhsh to pull the strings and hopefully add to his 4 international goals.
Pre Match Predictions:
With both sides needing a win, one would expect goals in the opening group B match. Iran and Morocco both had impressive defensive records in qualification. However, in this must win encounter, both teams to score looks likely.
Best Bets: Both Teams to Score - 6/5 (Paddy Power)
Morocco Win - 13/10 (Betfair)
The match of the tournament so far, and perhaps the match of the group stage arrives in group B on just the second day of the tournament. The game itself has been largely overshadowed by the shock sacking of Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the competition. The new Real Madrid manager has been replaced at the helm by ex Madrid centre half, Fernando Hierro as Spain hope to rebuild with a win against arch rivals Portugal. Although the players and staff have remained relatively relaxed in the last couple of days, the rift between the Barcelona and Real Madrid players must be at an all time high. Portugal come into the tournament as European champions after a stunning win in Paris, even without superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Notoriously hard to beat, the Portuguese will be hoping to take advantage of Spain's chaos off the field, and will surely qualify with ease.
Ones To Watch:
Cristiano Ronaldo will be striving to go out on a high, in which will surely be his last World Cup. However, just like in Paris, it may be another Portuguese man who steals the headlines. Gonçalo Guedes netted twice in Portugal's last pre tournament fixture and had an impressive season for Valencia, after being loaned out from PSG. The winger will be keen to show PSG what they were missing and will be hoping to earn a move away next season, especially with the French champions needing to sell.
For Spain it will be youth that will take them further than their disappointing exit in the last 16 in the Euros, and Marco Asensio could be their shining light. The 22 year old is yet to score for Spain, however, will surely get game time in what could be a pivotal tournament for the youngster.
Pre Match Predictions:
A draw will suit both sides going into matches against Morocco and Iran. Portugal will pile the pressure onto troubled Spain and one would expect goals from the European giants. Portugal lost their first World Cup qualifier in Basel, but then went on to win nine from nine, scoring 32 goals along the way. Portugal to score goals is the bet here, avoiding match results due to Spain's hugely unpredictable nature.
Best Bets: Portugal to Score OVER 1.5 Goals - 5/2 (bet365)
Cristiano Ronaldo to Score - 15/8 (Paddy Power)
@andyhayden
Egypt - Uruguay 15th June 13:00
 |
| Elneny to prove himself |
The Pharaohs take on the sky blues in the second game of Group A, after Russia's 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia. The world's eyes will be heavily focused on Mo Salah, or more accurately, Mo Salah's shoulder, as he battles back to full fitness. Once again, both sides will be itching to get started and get their first three points on the board. Uruguay will be favourites to win (8/13 skybet) and should take advantage of Egypt's defensive frailties to go top of the group after the first round of matches.
Ones To Watch:
Not much more needs to be said about the Premier League Player of the Season, Mo Salah. He will feel the weight the nation on his shoulders but would surprise nobody if he did delight the Russian crowds with his performances in Group A. However, it may be another Premier League man, Mohamed Elneny who will be key for the Egyptians. With the obvious goal scoring potential in the side, stability will be vital and Elneny can pull the strings from central midfield, hopefully unleashing Salah and outscoring Uruguay.
 |
| Arsenal new boy Lucas Torreira |
Pre Match Predictions:
Uruguay's experience throughout their side should prove invaluable. The likes of Godin, Gimenez, Vecino, Bentancur, Suarez, and Cavani all ply their trades at the very top level, and will be too strong for the relatively weak Egyptian side. Although Uruguay may improve as the tournament progresses, it is unlikely that they will try to outscore Egypt, and a low scoring game is to be expected. Even with the inform Salah, Egypt have averaged just 0.8 goals in their last 10 fixtures. Uruguay are also low scorers, with a surprisingly low 1.1 average per game, suggesting a low scoring Uruguay win.
Best Bets: Uruguay to WIN and UNDER 2.5 Goals - 2/1 (Boyle Sports)
Edinson Cavani to Score - 5/4 (Marathon Bet)
Morocco - Iran 15th June 16:00
Group B kicks off with a must win game for both sides. Both nations will have little chance of qualifying for the next round after being unlucky to have been drawn alongside the Europeans giants Spain and Portugal. Morocco qualified after going unbeaten in their group, and not conceding a single goal in their six matches, keeping out Ivory Coast, Gabon, and Mali in the process. Iran topped their initial qualifying group with ease, scoring 26 from their 8 games. They were even more impressive in the second round, finishing above South Korea to top their second phase, qualifying for the World Cup.
 |
| AZ man Hakim Ziyech |
Morocco will be relying on their solid defence in group B. Juventus centre half Medhi Benatia will be at the heart of the Moroccan side, and will be hoping his solid Serie A form can lead Morocco to a clean sheet. However, vs Iran it will be Morocco's forwards that will decide the outcome. Ajax midfielder Hakim Ziyech, who has 9 goals in just 18 appearances for his nation, will be hoping he can emulate Denis Cheryshev and fire Morocco past Iran to give them an outside chance at qualification.
 |
| Eredivisie Top Goalscorer |
Pre Match Predictions:
With both sides needing a win, one would expect goals in the opening group B match. Iran and Morocco both had impressive defensive records in qualification. However, in this must win encounter, both teams to score looks likely.
Best Bets: Both Teams to Score - 6/5 (Paddy Power)
Morocco Win - 13/10 (Betfair)
Spain - Portugal 15th June 19:00
The match of the tournament so far, and perhaps the match of the group stage arrives in group B on just the second day of the tournament. The game itself has been largely overshadowed by the shock sacking of Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the competition. The new Real Madrid manager has been replaced at the helm by ex Madrid centre half, Fernando Hierro as Spain hope to rebuild with a win against arch rivals Portugal. Although the players and staff have remained relatively relaxed in the last couple of days, the rift between the Barcelona and Real Madrid players must be at an all time high. Portugal come into the tournament as European champions after a stunning win in Paris, even without superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Notoriously hard to beat, the Portuguese will be hoping to take advantage of Spain's chaos off the field, and will surely qualify with ease.
 |
| Guedes to outshine Ronaldo? |
Ones To Watch:
Cristiano Ronaldo will be striving to go out on a high, in which will surely be his last World Cup. However, just like in Paris, it may be another Portuguese man who steals the headlines. Gonçalo Guedes netted twice in Portugal's last pre tournament fixture and had an impressive season for Valencia, after being loaned out from PSG. The winger will be keen to show PSG what they were missing and will be hoping to earn a move away next season, especially with the French champions needing to sell.
 |
| Real Madrid man Asensio |
Pre Match Predictions:
A draw will suit both sides going into matches against Morocco and Iran. Portugal will pile the pressure onto troubled Spain and one would expect goals from the European giants. Portugal lost their first World Cup qualifier in Basel, but then went on to win nine from nine, scoring 32 goals along the way. Portugal to score goals is the bet here, avoiding match results due to Spain's hugely unpredictable nature.
Best Bets: Portugal to Score OVER 1.5 Goals - 5/2 (bet365)
Cristiano Ronaldo to Score - 15/8 (Paddy Power)
@andyhayden
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