All articles by: Ieuan Ivett

Iran vs Spain – Match Preview

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Iran vs Spain
Wednesday 20th June 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Group B, Kazan Arena, Kazan

Live on ITV 1 – Kick-Off: 19:00

Iran vs Spain – Iran and Spain face off in the second round of group matches at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Surprise group toppers Iran will be high in confidence after their dramatically late victory over Morocco.

Meanwhile, Spain need three points after Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat trick, sealed by a late free-kick that stripped two points from the free-scoring Spanish. Their manager woes are still taking headlines after a defensively unconvincing display.

Diego Costa shot many of his critics down with an impressive brace against Portugal. The first goal illustrated his strength and brute force that many pundits said would be a contrasting style of play to the rest of his Spanish teammates as a disadvantage. Costa is 5/2 on SkyBet to score first.

Iran attacker Sardar Azmoun caused Morocco the most problems from the Iranian team that won the first match. His pace caused real problems on the counter attack. Azmoun is 14/1 to strike first.

Don’t let the group standings deceive you. The Spanish are heavy favourites for this encounter, priced at 2/11 to win. Their talent is exceptionally superior with Isco pulling the strings in the middle. He put in a man-of-the-match performance and was cruelly outshone by Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat trick. He is priced at 13/8 to assist a goal in 90 mins.

Spain do in fact have a solid defence despite conceding three in their last match. Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos should not have too many troubles during the match, and David De Gea will be hoping for a quiet match and a clean sheet after his mistake in their opener. The Manchester United goalkeeper is 4/11 to keep a clean sheet this time around.

Iran were not strangers to the referee’s pocket against Morocco with three yellow cards. They could be racking the cards up again against this tricky, inventive Spain attack.

Iran vs Spain will be televised live in the UK on ITV with kick-off at 19:00 GMT.

Prediciton – Iran 0-4 Spain 

Suggested Tips –  Iran vs Spain – (BET365):

  • Spain to win 4-0 –  (link no longer available).
    – The Spanish proved they haven’t let their manager issues faze them too much. They should cruise to victory.

Suggested Tips –  Iran vs Spain – (BET365):

  • Costa, Isco & Silva 2+ shots on target each – 4/1.
    The Spain attack should be peppering the Iranian goal for the duration of the match.
  • Diego Costa to score a header – 13/2.
    – The target man striker is capable of bullying the Iran defence and is a presence in the box, especially from corners.
  • RequestABet up to 10/1 – Spain to win to nil, Spain to score 2+ goals and 5+ Spain corners – 11/8 (NB).
  • Spain to win to nil, Spain to win by 2+ goals – 5/4 (NAP).
    – Both of these look a shout – expecting a few goals from Spain and not expecting much threat from Iran on the Spanish goal – these could be lumpers.

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

Poland vs Senegal – Match Preview

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Poland vs Senegal
Tuesday 19th June 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Group H, Spartak Stadium, Moscow

Live on ITV 1 – Kick-Off: 16:00

Poland vs Senegal – Poland and Senegal begin their 2018 World Cup campaign in this Group H showdown.

Both nations cruised through their qualifying groups with Senegal not losing a single match whilst Poland only lost one but still finished five points to the good ahead of Denmark.

Poland and Senegal share the same attribute in having a key talisman among their ranks. Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski who spearheads the Polish attack and Liverpool winger Sadio Mane who will be a nuisance for all opponents.

Poland captain Lewandowski is one of the tournaments dangermen and some people’s outsider to win the golden boot, SkyBet offering odds of 33/1. Mane will be the quickest and trickiest player on the pitch and has proved his worth on the big stage by scoring in the Champions League final a few weeks back. He is 11/2 to score first.

Poland have been in rather rampant form during their warm-up matches and are favourites to win the match, priced at 13/10 on SkyBet. Their most recent outing saw them demolish Lithuania 4-0, with Lewandowski grabbing a brace. They also faced non-qualifiers Chile in a 2-2 draw with the captain finding the net again.

Senegal, priced at 11/5, have dealt with rather difficult opposition pretty well in their warm up matches. Despite taking the lead against Croatia, two late second half goals settled the tie for them however they bounced back with a 2-0 victory over South Korea.

The match is a close one to call, as both nations are capable of being a ‘surprise package’ for this tournament. Poland are a rather well drilled, physical side whereas Senegal are also well organised defensively but will be looking to utilize their nimble forwards in Moussa Sow, Diafre Sakho and Sadio Mane. The stamina of Idrissa Gueye and Cheikhou Kouyate in the middle could also be a promising presence for the African outfit. I feel Senegal are very possible of causing an upset.

Bahraini referee Nawaf Shukralla will take charge of this fixture. The 41-year-old officiated at the last World Cup in 2014 – but will have the helpful assistance of VAR that has been at the front of many topics of discussion.

Predicition: Poland 1 – 1 Senegal 

Suggested Tips –  Poland vs Senegal – (BET365):

  • 1-1 draw – (link no longer available).
    – It’s tough to divide these two sides. Lewandowski and Mane pose a similarly dangerous threat.

Suggested Tips –  Poland vs Senegal – (SKYBET):

  • Robert Lewandowski to score first – 11/4
    – Great odds for the deadliest finisher on the pitch. If he is provided early service and is supported well by Arkadiusz Milik then there will be no stopping him.
  • Under 8 match corners – 2/1
    – Both nations have managed few or no corners in their recent matches. The game could be rather tactical, with little counter attacks leading to corners.
  • RequestABet Specials Up to 10/1 – Poland v Senegal – Lewandowski & Mane 2+ shots on target each – 7/2.

Croatia vs Nigeria – Match Preview

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Croatia vs Nigeria
Saturday 16th June 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Group D, Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad

Live on ITV 1 – Kick-Off: 20:00 GMT

Croatia vs Nigeria – Croatia and Nigeria will be hoping for fast starts to the 2018 World Cup as they face off with each other in their Group D opener.

Croatia have taken many peoples title as ‘dark horses’ for the tournament. Their experienced squad is brimming with European talent that seem to go a little unnoticed on the international stage.

Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic link up with Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic to form a midfield that all other nations would be proud to have. The tricky Ivan Perisic will bring the flair whilst seasoned goal scorer Mario Mandzukic will bring the finishing touch. All of this excitement going forward along with Jan Subasic in goal means there is no reason why Croatia can’t go all the way.

They will face Nigeria – who not only have won the award for best kit at the World Cup – but will also be trying to prove they’re worth the colourful material they play in.

They failed to do so in their recent warm up matches with losses to Czech Republic and England alongside a difficult 1-1 draw with Congo. Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi will be likely to take a more central role along veteran John-Obi Mikel. Chelsea full-back Victor Moses could feature higher up the field to utilize his pace.

Ahmed Musa is another name to watch out for. The Leicester City flop has plenty of responsibility on his surprisingly young shoulders; with 72 caps at 25-years-old. Since returning to the Russian League, Musa has reignited his goal scoring form. On technically ‘home soil’ for him, he could cause the ageing Croatian side a headache and is priced at 7/2 to score anytime.

The Africans are priced at 9/2 to provide a shock against the Croatians who are priced at 8/11 to get their campaign off to winning ways. Neither nation is favourite to win the group with Argentina and Iceland occupying the other two spots.

Prediction: Croatia 2 – 0 Nigeria

Suggested Tips –  Croatia vs Nigeria – (BET365):

  • Correct score: Croatia to win 2-0 – 5/1.

– The ‘dark horses’ have too much quality in their side for the Nigerians.

Suggested Tips –  Croatia vs Nigeria – (SKYBET):

  • Luka Modric to score first – 17/2.

– He’s the classiest player on the pitch and although he isn’t known for his goal scoring, he is the only Croatian to ever score in two different European Championships and possesses the killer instinct.

  • Half Time/ Full Time Draw / Croatia – 10/3.

– Croatia are slow burners in matches. Whether they’re conceding or scoring their last three games have been goalless at half time.

Tips updated at 11:10 on 16th June.

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