All articles by: Jools Jordan-Probert

Russia vs Croatia – Match Preview

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Russia vs Croatia
Saturday 7th July 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Quarter-finals,  Fisht Stadium, Sochi

Live on ITV 1 – Kick-Off: 19:00

Russia vs Croatia – The last quarter-final sees hosts Russia face dark horses Croatia for a history-making place in the semis.

Both teams have massively impressed on their respective paths to this point. Russia kicked off the tournament in style with a 5-0 demolishing of unsuspecting Saudi Arabia. Followed by a comfortable 3-1 win over Egypt before losing 3-0 to eventual Group A winners Uruguay.

Perhaps the biggest shock of the last 16 was Russia eliminating Spain from the tournament. Proving that no one should underestimate the hosts. Midfielders like Alexsandr Golovin and Denis Cheryshev have provided output alongside the finishing of Artem Dzyuba up top. The latter two both have three in World Cup. This tournament has been a far cry from the horrendous 2016 European Championships where Russia came bottom of the group.

If possible, Croatia have made even more of an impact. Beating Nigeria 3-0 might have been expected, but winning by the same score-line against Argentina made the world take notice. A 2-1 victory against Iceland to round the group off saw momentum maintained. The 1-1 draw and subsequent penalty shoutout win against Denmark wasn’t exceptional, but Croatia are still alive and hungry to progress.

Croatia’s midfield duo in Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric of Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively have stormed the tournament. Even without those two stars, there is quality throughout the squad in Monaco’s Danijel Subasic in goal, Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren and Atletico’s Sime Vrsaljko in defence, Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic of Inter Milan and Modric’s Real Madrid teammate Mateo Kovacic in midfield with vetern Mario Mandzukic up front.

Zlatko Dalic is ready to lead Vatreni to match and surpass the feats of the 1998 squad, who came 3rd. Russia manager Stanislav Cherchesov will be hoping to equal his nation’s best ever World Cup performance by reaching the last four too.

Russia have topped the running stats in terms of metres covered this tournament and their energy shows, always seeming to have another gear in the latter stages of matches. Amidst the huge doping scandals of late take of that what you will. This match may be a case of Croatia’s ability (or inability) to showcase the requisite quality to break down the Russian defence and withstand the counter-attack.

The Croats definitely have the squad to do it. The Russians have the home crowd on side to prevent it. The winner of England vs Sweden awaits in the semi-finals. A mouth-watering last four clash of England against the hosts could be on the cards. Glory. Is. Possible.

Prediction – Russia 1-2 Croatia

Suggested Tips – Russia vs Croatia – (BET365):

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

Suggested Tips – Russia vs Croatia – (SKYBET):

  • Anytime Goalscorer – Luca Modric – 4/1. 
  • RequestABet Specials – 11/1 to 28/1 – Over 2.5 goals, 12+ match corners and 20+ booking points – 18/1. (NAP).
  • Scorecast Boost – Ivan Persic to score first and Croatia win 2-1 – 60/1. 
  • RequestABet Specials – 80/1 and above  – Dzyuba to score a header and Croatia to score a penalty – 66/1.
  • Cheryshev and Perisic both 2+ shots on target each – 28/1.

Keep visiting Tips and Previews ahead of games to get our suggested tips and correct score picks for the remainders ties in the quarter finals. Tips updated at 13:30 GMT on 7th July 2018.

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Colombia vs England – Match Preview

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Colombia vs England
Tuesday 3rd July 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Round of 16, Spartak Stadium, Moscow

Live on ITV 1 – Kick-Off: 19:00

Colombia vs England – Is football coming home? Colombia stand in the way of England on their quest to World Cup glory.

A wave of optimism and patriotism has overcome the ever-vociferous England fans during this campaign. An injury time winner in the first match against Tunisia and Panama’s 6-1 demolishing have helped instil belief. Harry Kane topping the Golden Boot charts with five (including a hat-trick against Panama) solidifies this. The Spurs hitman has scored at a rate of one every 31 minutes so far this tournament. Kane to score at anytime is 6/4 with SkyBet.

The last match against Belgium was a dead rubber. Both sides made wholesale changes as England slumped to a 1-0 defeat via Adnan Januzai’s great goal. However, this put England in the ‘better’ half of the draw with a path to the Final that, even if the favourites of other matches win, reads (in order) Colombia, Switzerland in the quarters then Croatia in the semi-finals. What a fantastic opportunity to make history.

Gareth Southgate’s side still first have to navigate a difficult task in the form of Colombia. After going down to ten men and losing their first match 2-1 to Japan, Colombia have recovered very well. Jose Pekerman’s side destroyed Poland 3-0, playing some brilliant football, before earning a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Senegal (courtesy of a Yerry Mina header) in the winner-takes-all last group stage game.

A lot of the pre-match talk has been involving Colombia’s star man James Rodriguez. The Bayern Munich playmaker came off in the first half against Senegal and is a major doubt for this game. His absence will be a huge boost for England as everything goes through his mercurial talent.

Colombia still possess quality throughout the team though, Radamel Falcao, Juan Cuadrado, Juan Quintero are all dangerous going forward whilst Mina and Davison Sanchez of Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur respectively are at the heart of defence. Mina and Stones (who’s already scored twice) to both get at least one shot on target each is 25/1 with SkyBet

England will come into this game as favourites, but it could be a beautifully poised match. Especially as both teams try and play football that is easy on the eye. The path to glory is there for both teams, who will break the mould and take it?

Prediction – Colombia 1-2 England 

In line with this, an appealing request-a-bet is Kane to score first, England to win and both teams to score. The RAB has shortened from 16/1 too 14/1 with SkyBet.

Suggested Tips – Colombia vs England – (SKYBET):

  • England win 2-1 – 9/1.
  • Popular Bets – Kane to score, Falcao 1+ offsides and 1+ corners each team in each half- 9/2. (NAP).
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Falcao, Kane & Lingard to score and England 2-1 – 80/1.
  • Redknapp’s RAB: Kane to score first, BTTS and England win – 14/1. (NB).
  • RequestABet Specials upto 10/1 – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking points each team – 10/1. (Note: Same bet with 10+ booking points each available at 5/1).
  • RequestABet Specials upto 10/1 – Over 1.5 goals, 3+ corners each team, 10+ booking points each team (all 90 mins) and England to qualify – 11/4.
  • RequestABet Specials upto 10/1 – Over 1.5 goals, Falcao 1+ shots on target & Kane 1+ shots on target, 6+ match corners and 20+ match booking pts – 5/2. (NB 2).
  • Player To Score Outside the Penalty Area – James Rodriguez – 12/1. (Added: 17:05).
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Colombia v England – Falcao 1+ shots on target, Cuadrado 1+ shots on target, Maguire 1+ shots on target & Stones 1+ shots on target – 12/1. (Added: 18:15).
  • RequestABet Specials 11/1 to 28/1 – Colombia v England – Kane 1+ shots on target, Fernando Quintero  1+ shots on target, Lingard 1+ shots on target & Falcao 1+ shots on target – 13/2. (Added: 18:20 – was 9/1 – shorterned too 13/2).
  • RequestABet Specials 80/1 and above – Colombia v England – Kane 3+ shots on target, Falcao 2+ shots on target & Stones 1+ shots on target – 100/1. (Added: 18:25 – was 125/1 – shorterned too 100/1).

Keep visiting Tips and Previews ahead of games to get our suggested tips and correct score picks for the games. Tips updated at 18:25 GMT on 3rd July 2018.

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Sweden vs Switzerland – Match Preview

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Sweden vs Switzerland
Tuesday 3rd July 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Round of 16, Saint Petersburg Stadium, St. Petersburg

Live on BBC 1 – Kick-Off: 15:00 

Sweden and Switzerland both battled through difficult groups to earn the chance to play each other for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Whilst this may not be the most appetising of the last 16 clashes, neither team should be underestimated. Switzerland were value for their point against Brazil and Sweden were cruelly beaten by Toni Kroos’ last-minute wonder goal.

Switzerland proceeded to pick up four points from their remaining two matches (2-1 vs Serbia and 2-2 vs Costa Rica). Sweden opened their campaign with a rugged 1-0 win against South Korea before smashing the previously excellent Mexico 3-0. The latter result was a massive shock, especially as Mexico had so deservedly beaten Germany beforehand.

Switzerland are currently at their joint-highest ever World Ranking at 9th place. Manager Vladimir Petkovic will see this as a fantastic opportunity to reach a first World Cup quarter-final in 64 years. The Rossocrociati have lost just once in 20 matches. Incredible. Defence has been key to that outstanding run, keeping 11 clean sheets during that period.

Going forward has often been the issue for Switzerland against better teams. However, Xherdan Shakiri seems to be firing on all cylinders and forward Josep Drmic got on the scoresheet last time out. Mix a Granit Xhaka screamer in there (like he did against Serbia) and the potential to score is present.

Long gone are the days of Sweden’s World Cup success, but now have their defence to thank for being in this great position to try and replicate it. Janne Anderson’s team have kept four clean sheets in their last five games and have only conceded more than once to Germany, Chile and Netherlands in their last 13 (where they still only conceded twice). The attack is definitely the issue for Sweden though. Only two players in the entire squad having scored more than eight international goals (Ola Toivonen with 14 and Marcus Berg with 18).

Set pieces have been pivotal for Sweden and may present their best chance to win this tie. Captain Granqvist is The Swedes’ top scorer at the tournament with two penalties. Sweden will be heavily relying on the talents of RB Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg for creativity. A first World Cup quarter-final in 24 years could depend on it.

This may not be the most fluid and attractive game of football but it will be an intriguing one nonetheless. Both perennial underdogs, but something has got to give. It will more than likely be decided by a mistake or a moment of magic. The reward? Facing the victor of England and Colombia in the last eight. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

Belgium vs Japan will be televised live in the UK on BBC 1 with kick off at 19:00.

Prediction – Sweden 1-1 Switzerland 

Suggested Tips – Sweden vs Switzerland – (SKYBET):

  • Draw 1-1 – 9/2.
  • Switzerland win After Extra Time – 10/1. (NB).
  • Scorecast Boost (Double Chance) Blerim Dzemaili to score first and Switzerland win 1-0 or draw 1-1 – 50/1. 
  • Both teams to score in 90 minutes and either team win on pens – 13/2.
  • Redknapp’s RAB: Draw 0-0 (90mins) and Sweden to win in ET – 22/1. (NB2).
  • RequestABet Specials – Marcus Berg 1+ shots on target, 3+ corners each team and 10+ booking points each team – 2/1. (NAP – added 11:05 GMT).

This looks a really tough game to bet on – we advise only backing one or two of the markets listed above today.

There are also a couple of 80/1 and above markets that have 0-0 or 1-1 and no booking points at big odds – 100/1+ – worth a small cover on those too.

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.Tips updated at 11:05 GMT on 3rd July 2018.

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