All articles by: Jools Jordan-Probert

Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia – Match Preview

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Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia
Wednesday 20th June 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Group A, Rostov Arena, Rostov-On-Don

Live on BBC 1 – Kick-Off: 16:00

Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia – Uruguay can secure their passage into the last 16 with victory against a deflated Saudi Arabia.

Against Egypt, Uruguay were true to form. They weren’t entirely convincing but had enough quality to get the job done, winning 1-0. Luis Suarez’s poor finishing required Jose Gimenez to step up and head a late, heart-breaking winner.

Gimenez has scored headers in each of his last two games, doing so again is a boosted 12/1 with SkyBet. Additionally, Suarez is the type of player who will be innately hungry to put his last performance right. The Barcelona striker to score first (in what will be his 100th cap) and Uruguay to win is 9/4 with bet365.

Gimenez’s Atletico Madrid partner Diego Godin was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch. Edison Cavani showed some nice touches. However, in general there was a lack of fluidity in the side. Players like Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Juventus’ Rodrigo Bentacur really failed to impress. This could leave the door open for Arsenal-bound Lucas Torreira to get the nod in midfield.

2010 semi-finalists, La Celeste are seen by many as dark horses for this World Cup. With two of the planet’s best strikers and central defenders however, there isn’t much dark about it. Uruguay will expect to comfortably win this group and mount a serious challenge in what could be Cavani, Suarez and Godin’s last chance at a World Cup.

Oscar Tabarez’s team will be raring to put any critics to rest, by winning and guaranteeing qualification from the group. Albeit, against what seems to be a woeful Saudi Arabia side. The Green Falcons were dismantled 5-0 by the hosts in the opening match, to many fans’ surprise. The inability to deal with what has been labelled the worst Russian team in decades was damning.

Saudi lacked creativity and defensive organisation, the subsequent lack of concentration cost them dearly. This could be down to the disruption of having the managers in three months when new coach in Juan Antonio Pizzi was appointed. As ex-Chile coach Pizzi has been in his role since November of 2017 that excuse would be futile. A win is an absolute necessity should Saudi want to qualify, but really anything they get will be a bonus.

Pizzi’s men will find it hard against a brilliantly organised Uruguayan defence and especially with the constant threat of world-class talent up the other end to worry about. Uruguay have won with clean sheets in 13 of the previous 17, winning 5 of the last 13, 3-0. Saudi Arabia winning their first match at the World Cup for 24 years seems unlikely at best.

Kick-off at 16:00 BST, Wednesday 20th June, Rostov Arena live on BBC 1 in the UK.

Prediction – Uruguay 3-0 Saudi Arabia

Suggested Tips – Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia – (BET365):

  • Correct score: Uruguay to win 3-0 – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips –  Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia – (SKYBET):

  • Price Boost Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez both to score in 90 mins – 2/1.
  • Price Boost Jose Gimenez to score a header– 12/1.
  • RequestABet upto 10/1 -Suarez to score, Uruguay to score 3+ goals and Uruguay / Uruguay HT/FT – 15/8. (NAP).
  • RequestABet upto 10/1 – Uruguay to win to nil, Over 1.5 Goals, 8+ Uruguay corners and under 60 match booking points – 2/1 

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

Portugal vs Morocco – Match Preview

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Portugal vs Morocco
Wednesday 20th June 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Group B, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

Live on BBC 1 – Kick-Off: 13:00

Portugal vs Morocco – Portugal are hoping to maintain their momentum by beating Morocco and get within touching distance of the last 16.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the name, once again, on everyone’s lips. The world stood up and took notice as the legendary forward scored a hat-trick against 2010 World Cup victors Spain in the previous match. This included a simply magnificent 88th minute free-kick to salvage a point for the current European Chapmions. The all-time record Portugal goalscorer to net from outside the box again is 15/2 with SkyBet.

The game against Spain finished 3-3 and was unquestionably the best match of the finals to date. It had everything. Fantastic football, drama, intrigue, and quality in abundance. Many labelled their 2016 European Championships win as a fluke but Portugal proved they mean business. Any team the Selecao’s (11 clean sheets in the last 17) and Ronaldo up front will do.

Beating Morocco would put Fernando Santos’ team in a wonderful position going into the last group game against Iran. Iran won their first World Cup match for 20 years with the game’s only goal in injury-time against the former. The Iran fans were sent into raptures. Their defensive resilience, and the performance of goalkeeper Alizera Beiranvand deserved it.

Rene Havard’s Morocco face the most challenging task possible to quality now. With Portugal and Spain left to play two victories are realistically needed, which is obviously no mean feat. A lack of fluidity in passing and chance creation was prevalent last time out.

The Atlas Lions have the quality in the squad though. Names such as Hakim Ziyech and Younes Belhanda, alongside captain Medhi Benatia of Juventus are top players that can challenge.

There is no sugar-coating it, however, Portugal are massive favourites. With an on-fire Ronaldo and the creative spark of Goncalo Guedes and Bernardo Silva behind him it will be tough. The Manchester City playmaker to score first and Portugal to win 3-1 is a massive 100/1 with SkyBet.

Morocco didn’t concede a single goal in qualifying, and only conceded from a freak lapse of concentration against Iran. So, there are no slouches at the back. Portugal will surely have too much to handle though, especially with a certain Real Madrid man as hungry as ever.

Portugal vs Morocco will be televised live in the UK on BBC 1 with kick off at 13:00 GMT.

Prediciton – Portugal 2-0 Morocco 

Suggested Tips –  Portugal vs Morocco – (BET365):

  • Correct score: Portugal to win 2-0 – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips –  Portugal vs Morocco – (SKYBET):

  • @FootyAccums RequestABet – Ronaldo to score, Portugal to win by 2+ goals, 6+ Portugal corners and 20+ Morocco booking pts – 8/1.
  • Scorecast Boost – Bernardo Silva to score first and Portugal win 3-1 – 100/1.
  • RequestABet upto 10/1 – Over 1.5 Goals, Ronaldo 2+ shots on target, 8+ match corners and 20+ match booking pts – 13/8.
  • RequestABet upto 10/1 – Portugal to win to nil, 5+ Portugal corners and under 60 match booking points – 3/1 (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

Colombia vs Japan – Match Preview

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Colombia vs Japan
Monday 19th June 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Group H, Mordovia Arena, Saransk

Live on BBC 1 – Kick-Off: 13:00

Colombia vs Japan – In an extremely competitive Group H, 2014 quarter-finalists Colombia face Japan looking to justify their status as favourites to qualify.

Colombia are sweating on the fitness of Bayern Munich star, and 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner, James Rodriguez. The attacking midfielder netted six goals in CONMEBOL qualifying as Colombia finished fourth, behind Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.

Jose Pekerman’s side truly impressed at Brazil in four years ago. A 4-1 victory in this fixture the peak of the sumptuous attacking football seen. A repeat of that result is a boosted 50/1 with SkyBet. Colombia crashed out to the hosts last time but are strongly fancied to go just as far in Russia.

However, this will be a different sort of test. It may be Los Cofiteros’  best team in decades but that sort of tag brings its own pressures. Winning just twice in the past nine games isn’t ideal pre-tournament form either. After missing the last World Cup through injury, Colombia will, however, be able to call upon record goalscorer Radamel Falcao.

Falcao failed to impress in England but has been on fire upon returning to parent club AS Monaco. 54 goals in 79 appearances over the past two seasons is a brilliant return, and as a result has been installed as captain. Falcao to score first and Colombia to win 1-0 is a tasty 22/1 with SkyBet.

Group H should prove a massive challenge for Japan to navigate. Two capable teams in Poland and Senegal make up the rest of the group, seeing Japan labelled as the underdogs.

The Blue Samurai topped Group B in Round Three of the Asian Confederation’s World Cup qualifying. Both Saudi Arabia and Australia (who needed a play-off) finished a point behind.

Japan’s biggest pre-World Cup news is that they sacked manager Vahid Halilhodzic and gave the reigns to Akira Nishino. Nishino got the qualification job done by guiding the country through to their sixth successive World Cup. However, somewhat of a stir has been caused by dropping star Shinji Kagawa.

Kagawa isn’t the only big name in the team though. 2015/16 Premier League winner Shinji Okazaki and cult hero Keisuke Honda are both in the ranks. The latter has been involved in five of Japan’s six goals at the previous two World Cups and if Japan were to cause a shock the ageing playmaker, now 32 and at Mexican side Pachuca, will surely be at the heart of it.

Japan to win, 11+ match corners and 50+ match booking points is an outrageous 100/1 with SkyBet. How’s your luck?

Colombia are unbeaten in all of their previous three meetings against Japan, and *should* have enough quality to ensure victory. Pekerman’s team might need to with how close this group promises to be.

Colombia vs Japan will be televised live in the UK on BBC 1. Kick off is at 19th June 13:00 BST, Mordovia Arena, Saransk.

Prediction – Colombia 2-0 Japan

Suggested Tips –  Colombia vs Japan – (BET365):

  • Correct score: Colombia to win 2-0 – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips –  Colombia vs Japan – (SKYBET):

  • Falcao to score first – 2/1.
  • Price Boost – Falcao 2 shots on Target and 1+ Offside – 5/1.
  • RequestABet Up to 10/1 – Over 1.5 Goals, 5+ Colombia Corners, 3+ Japan Corners and 10+ booking points each team – 4/1 (NAP).
  • RequestABet Up to 10/1 –  Draw 0-0 and 0 booking points – 125/1 (cover).
  • Scorecast Boost: Falcao to score first and Colombia win 1-0 – 22/1.

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