All articles by: Jools Jordan-Probert

Senegal vs Colombia – Match Preview

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Senegal vs Colombia
Thursday 28th June 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Group H, Samara Arena, Samara

Live on BBC 1 – Kick-Off: 15:00

Senegal vs Colombia – Group H comes to a fiery close with Senegal and Colombia both harbouring aspirations of qualifying in this winner-takes-all affair.

With Poland already eliminated, the remaining three teams in Group H are all battling for the top two spots. This group has been hotly contested with a few surprise results to boot. Japan are currently top, which causes some interesting permutations for either side to qualify.

Senegal’s first two matches were a dominant 2-1 victory over Poland and a 2-2 draw with Japan. So, Aliou Cisse’s side have four points, the same as Japan, who beat Colombia 2-1 in their opening game. Colombia’s last match was a 3-0 hammering of the lacklustre Poland, so Jose Pekerman’s team are a point off the pace.

Hence, Senegal need just a point to guarantee passage into the knockout stages. Colombia can also afford to draw as long as Japan lose, due to their superior goal difference. Senegal can also lose should Japan get beaten by Poland by a greater margin. This makes for an incredibly interesting last matchday in Group H, where truly anything could happen.

Colombia’s last match showcased everything we expected of the South Americans. Energy, pace, flair and incisive passing were met with clinical finishing to swat Poland away. James Rodriguez crucially proved what a world-beater he is by turning on the style. Particularly with his glorious through ball for Juan Cuadrado’s, and Colombia’s third goal. Rodriguez to score first and Colombia to win 3-1 is a massive 80/1 with SkyBet.

Senegal have also been an absolute pleasure to watch. They have completely dispelled the reductionist claims that African teams are tactically inept. Yes, Senegal have the overused phrase ‘pace and power’ in abundance but more than that The Lions of Terunga are defensively sound and the midfield has a lovely balance to it. The positional awareness of the side allows the destructive forward players such as Sadio Mane to wreak havoc.

This was prevalent in Mbaye Niang’s goal against Poland, putting pressure on and capitalising on the woeful Polish defending. Niang to score first and Senegal to win 1-0 or draw 1-1 is a very big 28/1 with SkyBet.

Whichever of the two sides makes it through, perhaps it could even be both, they will surely be deserved. It is important to note that the winner of this group will face second place in England’s group and vice-versa. England vs either Senegal or Colombia could be a fascinating watch.

Prediction – Senegal 1-2 Colombia

Suggested Tips –  Senegal vs Colombia – (BET365):

  • Colombia to Win – 2-1 – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips –  Senegal vs Colombia – (SKYBET):

  • Over 1.5 goals, 3+ Senegal corners, 5+ Colombia corners and 10+ booking points each team – 15/8.
  • Niang 1+ shots on target & Rodriguez 1+ shots on target– 5/4. (NAP).
  • Mane to score, 4+ Corners each team and Davidson Sanchez to be carded – 33/1. 

All the suggested tips on SkyBet can be found under popular bets.

Tips updated at 12:00 GMT on 28th June 2018.

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

Japan vs Poland – Match Preview

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Japan vs Poland
Thursday 28th June 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Group H, Volgograd Arena, Volgograd

Live on BBC 2 – Kick-Off: 15:00

Japan vs Poland – Group H comes to a head as Japan know a draw against Poland will take them to the last 16.

Both these sides have surprised at this tournament, but for contrasting reasons. Japan ground out a 2-1 victory against group favourites Colombia in the first match. Then, the Blue Samurai earned a 2-2 draw against the impressive Senegal in a fantastic match last time out.

Poland opened their World Cup account by succumbing to a meagre 2-1 loss to Senegal. The last match was even worse, getting destroyed 3-0 by a rampant Colombia. Those two poor results and performances have seen Poland eliminated from the competition. Even more disappointing when you consider Poland haven’t played a friendly in a year to guarantee seeding for this tournament.

Japan have played their way into a great position in the group. Akira Nishino’s team currently lead Group H and with Colombia and Senegal playing a winner-takes-all match in the other game, a draw is all Japan need to qualify for the last 16 for the third time.

The permutations are actually even more complicated than that. Senegal are currently level on points and goal difference. Colombia are a point behind but have +1 better goal difference. If Japan lose by more goals than Colombia beat Senegal, then Japan can slip out into third place. It is still massively all to play for, the job is not yet done.

This gives Poland an opportunity to actually make a mark on this tournament. History is against them though. The Eagles have not kept a clean sheet at the World Cup since 1986, conceding 23 times in ten games. Both score no draw seems a good bet at 7/4 with SkyBet. If a rampant Poland turn up seeking revenge they will surely win.

If that Poland side doesn’t turn up, Japan will surely use that momentum and be undefeated in all group stage games for the first time since 2002. Takashi Inui has been on fire, scoring three in his last three for Japan after just two in his previous 26. Inui to score first and Japan win is an outside shot at 18/1 with bet365.

VAR could once again have an impact, as it has on most games. There to be an official VAR review 2+ times is 10/1 with SkyBet. Complimenting that bet, either Japan or Poland to score a penalty is 6/1 with bet365.

Prediction – Japan 1-2 Poland

Poland to throw a spanner in the works and show up for the first time this tournament.

Suggested Tips –  Japan vs Poland – (BET365):

  • Poland to Win – 2-1 – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips –  Japan vs Poland – (SKYBET):

  • Both Score No Draw – 7/4.
  • Inui to score and Japan win – 6/1. 
  • Robert Lewandowski to score first – 4/1. 

Tips updated at 12:00 GMT on 28th June 2018.

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

South Korea vs Germany – Match Preview

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South Korea vs Germany
Wednesday 27th June 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Group F, Kazan Arena, Kazan

Live on BBC 1 – Kick-Off: 15:00 

Group F culminates as reigning World Champions Germany face South Korea needing to better Sweden’s result to resist elimination.

It is do or die for Germany. Die Mannschaft have been at the epicentre of dram at every turn so far in Russia. Mexico royally threw a spanner in the works with a wonderful performance in a 1-0 victory against the holders in the group’s first match, before Toni Kroos rescued the Germans with a magnificent injury-time goal to steal a 2-1 win against Sweden last time out.

Bizarrely, that was just Germany’s second win in their last eight fixtures too, the other coming against Saudi Arabia (2-1).

Kroos’ goal very much felt like it could be one of huge significance in this tournament. Joachim Low will certainly hope so, although there is still plenty to address in his side. The defence looks fragile, resulting in Jerome Boateng’s rash and eventually deserved red card against Sweden. The midfield looks lethargic and overrun. In attacking areas chances are being created but they are even more frequently being squandered.

One would still be bold to write off Germany, however. There is depth, experience and quality throughout the entire squad. It could also be potentially ideal to be playing against South Korea who have nothing to play for. For 2010 Golden Boot winner Thomas Muller to score and Germany to win 2-0 or 3-1 is 18/1 with SkyBet. That is a very alluring Scorecast Boost.

Losing 1-0 to Sweden, then 2-1 to Mexico, Shin Tae-Yung’s side having nothing to play for in terms of qualification. However, this could be a poisoned chalice. The shackles may come off, especially with a vulnerable German side in front of them. Motivation should never be a factor when facing the World Champions. The prize in itself is beating the best team in the world.

Whilst perhaps unfortunate against Sweden, there is no denying that Mexico were dominant against South Korea. Even still, The Reds created opportunities in both matches and are no slouches. Son Heung-min’s wonderful strike to make it 2-1 against Mexico proves that the quality is there. The Spurs attacker to score at anytime is a boosted 4/1 with SkyBet, but Timo Werner at the same price seems like smarter money.

A point of note though is that Germany haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last seven games. Should that continue, it would surely be Son who is the player to capitalise. Both teams to score and Germany to win is 13/8 with SkyBet.

This Germany side could be there for the taking. If we have learned anything about Germany though, is that they always tend to pull through. There is too much at stake and too much quality on the pitch not to.

South Korea vs Germany will be televised live in the UK on BBC 1 with kick-off at 15:00 GMT.

Prediction – South Korea 0-2 Germany

Suggested Tips –  South Korea vs Germany – (BET365):

  • Germany win – 2-0 – (link no longer available).

Suggested Tips – South Korea vs Germany – (SKYBET):

  • Price Boost – Timo Werner to score first – 4/1.
  • @FootyAccums RequestABet – Germany to win by 2+ goals, Heung-min & Kroos each 1+ Shots on Target, 7+ Germany corners & 10+ booking pts each team – 9/2. (NAP).
  • Price Boost – Son Heung-min to score anytime – 4/1.

Tips updated at 17:40 GMT on 26th June 2018. Markets unlikely be updated again prior to the game kicking off.

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