All articles by: Jools Jordan-Probert

Serbia v Switzerland – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Serbia v Switzerland – Match Preview

Serbia v Switzerland
Friday 22nd June 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Group E, Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad

Live on BBC 1 – Kick-Off: 19:00

Serbia v Switzerland – a crucial Group E match with both teams looking to continue their good starts.

An Aleksandar Kolarov thunderbolt free-kick saw Serbia beat Costa Rica 1-0 and top the group. If you haven’t already, go and watch it. A first World Cup win since 2010 was the ideal way to begin the tournament.

The Eagles have a lot of World Cup heritage under the previous nation’s titles. Yugoslavia have twice finished 4th (1930, 1962) and made it to the quarter-finals three times (1954, 1958, 1990). Today’s Serbia are not expected to reach those heights but in players like Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic and Lazio’s highly-coveted Sergei Milinkovic-Savic there is the capability to hurt anyone. Crystal Palace’s Luka Milijovevic and Southampton’s Dusan Tidac add further quality.

The aforementioned midfielders were highly impressive against Costa Rica and will need to be again here. The midfield battle will be key, with Granit Xhaka and Valon Behrami providing stern competition in the middle for Switzerland.

A win for Serbia will all but guarantee qualification from the group for the first time in 20 years. A draw would still be somewhat positive, however with Brazil left to play that is an unwelcomed risk. Hopefully despite the necessity to win, Serbia can remain faithful to the slick centralised passing that saw off Costa Rica. Serbia to win is 9/5 with bet365, or to win 1-0 is 13/2.

Switzerland are currently ranked 6th in the FIFA World Rankings. Yes, 6th. Many turn their noses up at that number, often citing selective friendlies or an outdated system as the reason. However, there is much more than meets the eye here.

Rossocrociati have lost only once in their previous 18 fixtures, which included a run of ten consecutive victories. In those 18 games, Switzerland kept 12 clean sheets, facing Portugal twice alongside last week’s World Cup opener against Brazil.

Vladimir Petkovic’s side earned that point against Brazil too. True, selecao were nowhere near their best but Switzerland limited Brazil to very little clear-cut chances. All the while looking dangerous on the break, particularly through Xherdan Shaqiri. The Stoke winger is an appealing 6/1 to be first goalscorer with SkyBet.

The stipulations are still very much in Swiss hands. A win here makes this comfortable, needing just a point in the last game against Costa Rica. Even a draw could be fine if Brazil beat both Costa Rica and Serbia on the last day. This would mean Switzerland would have to beat Costa Rica, but would be big favourites to do so anyway.

The lack of a prolific goalscorer often seems to be the glaring weakness for The Swiss, but solidity in defence, a quality goalkeeper in Yann Sommer and dangerous forwards in Shaqiri and the young Breel Embolo could produce something memorable in Russia. A win on Stephen Lichtsteiner’s (now of Arsenal) 100th cap would be special.

Both sides have proven over the last couple of years that they are solid and balanced. They could well cancel each other out, hoping for a moment of quality to perhaps decide it. With a match of this significance, that is often the case.

Prediction – Serbia 1-1 Switzerland 

Suggested Tips –  Serbia v Switzerland – (BET365):

  • Correct score, Draw 1-1 – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips –  Serbia v Switzerland – (SKYBET):

  • Shaqiri to score from outside the penalty area – 12/1.
  • @FootyAccums RequestABets – Mitrovic 2+ shots & Shaquiri 1+ shots on target – 7/2. (NAP).
  • @FootyAccums RequestABets – Mitrovic to score a header & Shaquiri to score from outside the area – 50/1. (0.5pt Outsider).

Suggested Outsider Tips – 80/1 RequestABets and Above –  Serbia v Switzerland – (SKYBET):

  • Draw 1-1 and no booking points – 150/1. (0.25pt Outsider).
  • Draw 0-0 and no booking points – 200/1. (0.25pt Outsider).
  • Tadic and Shaquiri to score from outside the area – 250/1. (0.25pt Outsider).
  • Popular RequestABets – Mitrovic & Shaquiri to score and Ivanovic & Xhaka to be carded – 80/1. (0.5pt Outsider).

Don’t forget – we will be previewing as many if not all the FIFA 2018 World Cup Group Stage games. Keep visiting Tips and Previews ahead of games to get our suggested tips and correct score picks for the games.

FIFA World Cup 2018 – Promotional Offer by BET365

France vs Peru – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on France vs Peru – Match Preview

France vs Peru
Thursday 21st June 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Group C, Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg

Live on ITV 1 – Kick-Off: 16:00

France vs Peru – France need to dispel the critics by convincingly beating Peru and solidifying their spot in the last 16.

Didier Deschamps’ talented team languished to a 2-1 victory over Australia last time out. Many fans and pundits criticised the uninspired performance from one of the tournament favourites. Antonine Griezmann and Paul Pogba both got on the score sheet but offered little else throughout the game.

Les Blues’ squad is littered with star power though, with it surely being a matter of time before it shines. A defence that includes Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane of Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively. Midfield options of N’Golo Kante, Pogba, Corentin Tolisso and Blaise Matuidi, or even Thomas Lemar or Steven N’Zonzi. Attackers like Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Nabil Fekir. Astonishing depth. Any neutral wants this squad to click and show us its true ability.

An appetising long shot is Dembele to score, France to win, 11 match corners and 30+ France booking points at a huge 33/1 with SkyBet. A 3-0 France victory is a boosted 12/1, also with SkyBet.

A win would surely see France into the last 16, although mathematically it depends on the Denmark v Australia result. This could be the beginning of a golden generation for France and as such could well be Deschamps last opportunity to achieve with it. Runners-up in their home European Championships in 2016, a similar or better return is demanded at this World Cup.

Peru are France’s obstacle, and will count themselves unfortunate to not get anything from their opening match against Denmark. La Blanquirroja were energetic, bold and adventurous but just couldn’t quite break down the resolute Danish defence in the end.

Key striker Paolo Guerrero lacked match fitness so started on the bench but is expected to lead the line here. Andre Carillo, who spent 2017/18 on loan with Watford, was Peru’s greatest threat. Carillo to score first is a boosted 20/1 with SkyBet.

The magnitude of the 1-0 defeat to Denmark, in their first World Cup fixture for 36 years, cannot be understated. It was billed as an early Group C 2nd place play-off and seems that way. Now, one would expect Peru need all three points against France, and/or Australia to beat Denmark, to realistically challenge.

France will surely have too much for Peru, who’s energy wavered late on against Denmark as space appeared in defence. The quality in the French team will have more control throughout and be able to punish the tiring defenders. These two have faced each other once before, France winning 1-0 in an 1982 friendly. The last South American team to best France at a World Cup was eventual winners Argentina in 1978. Peru are up against it.

Prediction – France 3-1 Peru

Suggested Tips –  France vs Peru – (BET365):

  • France to win 3-1 –  (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips –  France vs Peru – (SKYBET):

  • Scorecast Boost (Double Chance) – Antoine Griezmann to score first and France to win either 2-1 or 3-1 – 20/1.
  • Price Boost -Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe both to score in 90 mins – 5/1.
  • RequestABet up to 10/1 – Farfan and Pogba 1+ shot on target each – 15/8. (NB).
  • RequestABet up to 10/1 – Griezmann to score, France to win, 5+ Match Corners and 20+ Match Booking Points – 9/4. 
  • Price Boost – Andre Carillo to score first in 90 mins – 20/1.
  • RequestABet up to 10/1 – France to win, France to score 2+ Goals, 5+ France Corners and 20+ Match Booking Points – 11/4. (NAP). 

Don’t forget – we will be previewing as many if not all the FIFA 2018 World Cup Group Stage games. Keep visiting Tips and Previews ahead of games to get our suggested tips and correct score picks for the games.

FIFA World Cup 2018 – Promotional Offer by BET365

Denmark vs Australia – Match Preview

by ·Comments Off on Denmark vs Australia – Match Preview

Denmark vs Australia
Thursday 21st June 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Group C, Samara Arena, Samara

Live on ITV 1 – Kick-Off: 13:00

Denmark vs Australia – the Australians require a victory to give themselves any chance of making the last 16 against Denmark who can secure qualification with a win themselves.

The Socceroos were embroiled in VAR controversy during their narrow 2-1 loss against France in their first game. A penalty was given for France’s opener that was subject to a contentious VAR decision.

An equalising Mile Jedinak penalty wasn’t enough as Paul Pogba surged forward to claim a French winner. Australia put in a respectable performance, showing they have enough to compete despite what people thought before the tournament started. Huddersfield’s Aaron Mooy was particularly impressive, his energy and incisive passing a real positive throughout.

Only three points will be adequate for Bert van Marwijk’s team. The Dutch coach has experience and pedigree at the World Cup, taking his home nation to the Final in 2010.

However, this is a totally different challenge. The Socceroos have only ever qualified from the group stage once, in 2006, and not fancied to do so here. There is no reason why Australia cannot go out and beat Denmark though. Australia to win 1-0 is 11/1 with SkyBet. An outside shot could be striker Andrew Nabbort to score first and Australia win 2-0 or 2-1, at 66/1.

The three points already separating the two sides is a large mountain to climb. Denmark beat Peru 1-0 thanks to Yussef Poulsen’s goal but were not the better side. Peru would often blitz forward but lacked the ingeuinity in the final third to create clear-cut opportunities. Christian Eriksen typically provided a moment of quality, sliding a neat pass into Poulsen who slotted past the keeper.

Poulsen to score the game’s only goal in a repeat result in this one is 40/1 with SkyBet. Whilst Eriksen to turn up and net from outside the box is 9/2. The Spurs man has an incredible return of 16 goals in his last 18 international games.

With France left to play, Age Hareide’s men know that a positive result is crucial too. A win, and France getting a draw or better against Peru would secure Denmark’s place in the last 16.

The Danish Dynamite are not expected to replicate the momentous 1992 European Championship winning side. However, there is a bunch of talented and dedicated players in the Denmark ranks that could provide a real shock. Especially with a rock-solid defence.

Denmark vs Australia will be televised live in the UK on ITV 1 with kick-off at 13:00 GMT.

Prediction – Denmark 2-1 Australia

Suggested Tips –  Denmark vs Australia – (BET365):

  • Denmark to win 2-1 –  (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips –  Denmark vs Australia – (SKYBET):

  • Christian Eriksen to score outside the penalty area – 9/2.
  • Scorecast Boost (Double Chance) – Andrew Nabbort to score first and Australia win 2-0 or 2-1 – 66/1.
  • Popular RequestABet – Over 1.5 goals, 5+ Denmark corners, 3+ Australia corners and 10+ booking points each team – 3/1.

Don’t forget – we will be previewing as many if not all the FIFA 2018 World Cup Group Stage games. Keep visiting Tips and Previews ahead of games to get our suggested tips and correct score picks for the games.

FIFA World Cup 2018 – Promotional Offer by BET365