by ·Comments Off on Belgium vs Japan – Match Preview
Belgium vs Japan - Match Betting Preview. Monday 2nd July 2018, FIFA World Cup 2018, Round of 16, Rostov Arena, Rostov-On-Don. Live on BBC 1 – Kick-Off: 19:00 GMT.

Belgium vs Japan
Monday 2nd July 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Round of 16, Rostov Arena, Rostov-On-Don

Live on BBC 1 – Kick-Off: 19:00 

Belgium vs Japan – The Red Devils enter the game with a perfect record with three wins from three matches. Meanwhile Japan impressed during their first two outings but suffered a 1-0 loss to Poland in the last group stage match. Japan only qualified through FairPlay rules.

Roberto Martinez made nine changes for Belgium’s last group game against England, where they came out 1-0 victors. Adnan Janujaz provided a moment of magic to break the deadlock. Striker Romelu Lukaku was announced not fit to play the match however the injury does not seem too serious. They are sure to line-up with a much stronger eleven and are priced at 2/5 by SkyBet to win the match.

Japan have been the surprise nation at the tournament so far. Nobody expected them to reach this round, however their opening win against Columbia proved crucial to their bid. The Japanese have illustrated their rigid tactics and their clinical nature in attack. Shinji Kagawa and Takashi Inui have been stand-out performers on the counter attack. They enjoy keeping the ball and have managed more possession than their opposition in all their World Cup matches. They are priced at 15/2 to provide a shock.

Eden Hazard has been his usual tricky self so far, using his dribbling ability and low centre of gravity to kick start some devastating attacks for the Belgians. The Chelsea forward is priced at 7/2 to break the deadlock.
Yuya Osaka will be Japan’s best chance at a goal as he will likely spearhead the attack. The FC Koln striker is 10/3 to score anytime.

The referee for this match will be Senegal’s Malang Diedhiou. Neither side have been too abrasive in their style of play but have seen a few cards. Belgium have racked up five yellow cards whilst Japan have seen four. Malang Diedhiou has officiated two games so far this World Cup with an average of 30+ booking points in each.

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

Suggested Tips – Belgium vs Japan – (SKYBET):

  • Belgium to win 3-0 – 8/1.
  • Pundits RequestABet – Eden Hazard to score first and Belgium to win to nil – 13/2.
    – Hazard is one of the many catalysts in this Belgium team, who look likely to keep a clean sheet.
  • HT/FT – Belgium/Belgium – 11/10. 
    – Martinez will want his side to get off to a fast start. Likely to be peppering the Japan goal.
  • RequestABets up to 10/1 – Belgium to win, over 2.5 goals and Lukaku 1+ shots on target & Eden Hazard 1+ shots on target – 13/8. (NAP).
  • Lukaku 3+ shots on target and Inui 2+ shots on target and Ferreira Carrasco 1+ shots on target – 40/1.

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.Tips updated at 13:25 GMT on 2nd July 2018.

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by ·Comments Off on Brazil vs Mexico – Match Preview
Brazil vs Mexico - Match Betting Preview. Monday 2nd July 2018, FIFA World Cup 2018, Round of 16, Samara Arena, Samara. Live on ITV 1 – Kick-Off: 15:00 GMT.

Brazil vs Mexico
Monday 2nd July 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Round of 16,Samara Arena, Samara

Live on ITV 1 – Kick-Off: 15:00 

Brazil vs Mexico is the first of two Round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup this Monday.

Brazil are many people’s favourite to win the competition, following the shock exit of Germany. Neymar and Coutinho have been their flamboyant selves and took most of the plaudits throughout the group stage. Mexico have been a surprise package of the tournament so far. They qualified second from Group F after taking a 3-0 spanking from Sweden. However, their earlier performances against Germany and South Korea earnt their spot in the knockout rounds.

Brazil, priced at 1/2 by SkyBet, are the obvious favourites for this encounter. Their talent from front to back is undeniably one of the most dangerous in the tournament and this was illustrated in their last outing against Serbia. Unlikely goal scorers Paulinho and Thiago Silva secured top spot for the Samba Boys but their front three and Coutinho were causing all sorts of problems.

Neymar is the obvious potent goal threat for the Brazilians and is priced at 11/4 to score first. However, Coutinho has been joining the counter attacks and utilizing his pace, dribbling ability and eye for goal. He could be worth backing to score first at 5/1.

Despite their very poor showing against Sweden, Mexico have that aura about them that they can pull off something special. Winger Hirving Lozano has been one of the best players of the tournament and Javier Hernandez has also been putting in great shifts along Carlos Vela. The squad is very evenly balanced however they will struggle to see much of the ball against this Brazilian side.

West Ham striker Hernandez is the Mexicans target man and is priced at 11/4 to score anytime.

With the tournament now reaching the knockout stages, betting markets are available on the method of qualification. It is possible either nation may need extra-time or penalties to decide their fate. The favourites Brazil are priced at 8/1 to win in extra-time and 14/1 to win on penalties.

The referee for this match will be Italy’s, Gianluca Rocchi. Mexico have received five yellow cards so far and Brazil have received three yellow cards. Neither of these sides are renowned for a physical style of play however bookings are more frequent in knockout matches. Rocchi has given out 7 cards in his 3 games so far this world cup and was one of Seria A’s higher carders in terms of Referee’s. There have been at least 3 yellow cards (in some cases more), in the last 5 head to head meetings between these two sides.

Brazil vs Mexico will be televised live in the UK on ITV 1 with kick-off at 15:00.

Prediction: Brazil 2 – 0 Mexico.

Suggested Tips – Spain vs Russia – (SKYBET):

  • Brazil win 2-0 – 11/2.
  • Both Players to score – Neymar and Philippe Coutinho – 4/1. 
  • Philippe Coutinho to score outside the penalty area – 15/2. 
  • Scorecast Boost – Double Chance – Javier Hernandez to score first and either Mexico to win 2-1 or Mexico to win 3-1 – 100/1. (0.25pt  Outsider).
  • Over 1.5 goals, Coutinho 3+ Total shots and Brazil / Brazil HT/FT – 11/4. (NB).
  • Brazil to score 1+ goals, Neymar & Coutinho 1+ shots on target each, 5+ Brazil corners and 20+ match booking pts – 11/8. (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.Tips updated at 12:15 GMT on 2nd July 2018. Markets will not be updated again prior to the game kicking off.

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by ·Comments Off on Croatia vs Denmark – Match Preview
Croatia vs Denmark - Match Betting Preview. Sunday 1st July 2018, FIFA World Cup 2018, Round of 16, Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod. Live on ITV 1 – Kick-Off: 19:00 GMT.

Croatia vs Denmark
Sunday 1st July 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Round of 16, Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod

Live on ITV 1 – Kick-Off: 19:00 

Croatia vs Denmark – Two of the world’s finest midfielders go head to head as Luka Modric and Cristian Eriksen both hope to lead their sides into the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Croatia topped Group D with three wins out of three. Their last-gasp 2-1 win against Iceland extended their winning run as Ivan Perisic grabbed his first goal of the tournament. After blowing past Argentina, Croatia have gone down as mosts ‘dark horses’ for the competition. By winning the group they have avoided meeting Brazil, Portugal and France. Spain could stand in their way in the quarter-finals, but as they say ‘you have to beat the best to be the best’.

Modric has already proven he is one of the best in this tournament. He has carried his form for Real Madrid into the Blue of Croatia and has led by example. In a more advanced role, Modric has shown his magic with fantastic vision, passes and even a couple of goals. For me, he is the best midfielder in the world at the moment and is so crucial to this Croatia side.

Denmark played out a dull 0-0 draw with France to confirm their spot in the last 16. The Dane’s remain unbeaten after picking up two draws and a win in Group C. Their success has been built on a solid foundation at the back; they’ve conceded just one goal in the tournament and 0 from open play. Andreas Christiansen played in a less familiar holding midfield role against France but I would expect him to return to the heart of the defence going forward. In attack Eriksen has been at his usual best; keeping Denmark ticking over. With one goal to his name, the Spurs’ midfielder has continued his best ever scoring season at international level. Like Modric, Eriksen is Denmark’s conductor and all their best play flows through him. It will be a really interesting matchup to see how both sides try to stop the other’s maestro.

Nestor Pitana is the referee for this game. The Argentina official has averaged 4.67 yellow cards and 0.25 red card per game across 84 international matches. Therefore, I would advise a maximum total of 40+ booking points for this game. Penalties may also be a good shout, with Pitana averaging a penalty every 0.2 games; with VAR involved that percentage is only likely to increase.

Croatia have a lot of big game players with plenty of experience. Denmark, by contrast, are a relatively inexperienced group and that could tell. I don’t think there will be a lot in the game and therefore Croatia’s extra knowhow could see them pinch a spot in the last eight.

Croatia vs Denmark will be televised live in the UK on ITV 1 with kick-off at 19:00 GMT.

Prediction: Croatia 1-0 Denmark.

Suggested Tips – Croatia vs Denmark – (SKYBET):

  • Croatia to win 1-0 – 10/3.
  • Croatia to win by exactly 1 goal – 11/2.
  • Price Boost – Luka Modric to score from outside the penalty area – 13/2. 
  • RequestABet – Modric & Eriksen to score, Croatia to win and Lovren to be carded – 125/1.

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.Tips updated at 10:35 GMT on 1st July 2018.

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by ·Comments Off on Spain vs Russia – Match Preview
Spain vs Russia - Match Betting Preview. Sunday 1st July 2018, FIFA World Cup 2018, Round of 16, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow. Live on BBC 1 – Kick-Off: 15:00 GMT.

Spain vs Russia
Sunday 1st July 2018
FIFA World Cup 2018, Round of 16, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

Live on BBC 1 – Kick-Off: 15:00 

Spain vs Russia – Spain take on hosts Russia in the first knockout round with both sides desperate to move into the last eight of the World Cup.

Spain topped Group B after a 90th-minute equaliser from Iago Aspas preserved their unbeaten start to the World Cup. They looked on course for a shock defeat against bottom side Morocco before the Celta Vigo forward back-heeled them level. Spain have struggled defensively in this tournament, conceding five goals in the Group Stages. Despite having one of the most coveted backlines and ‘keepers in the tournament, Spain have shown they can be got at.

They struggled to handle the pace and power of Cristiano Ronaldo in their opening match against Portugal, which could cause concern as they enter the latter stages of the tournament. In attack, Isco continued his fine start in Russia by adding his first goal whilst Diego Costa continued to torment after three goals in his first two games.

Russia came crashing back down to earth with a thump following their 3-0 defeat to Uruguay. That result left them second in Group A, despite winning their first two games. Russia manager Stanislav Chercesov made a number of changes, resting key players, and his side’s task was made even tougher as they went down to ten men in the first half. As a result, second choice right-back Igor Smolnikov will miss this match through suspension. This is the first game we have seen Russia struggle in, in what could be argued as their first real test. Although they did make changes, I think this was a sign that they will struggle against the bigger nations. They do possess plenty of pace and hard-working midfielders though and will play on the counter-attack to try and expose Spain.

Bjorn Kuipers is the referee for this game. The Ducthman plies his trade is the Eridevisie where he has averaged 4.33 cards per game across 15 league games. Therefore, I would advise a maximum total of 40+ booking points for this game.

Spain have proven they are capable of being beaten. They got out of jail against Morocco, but still topped their group. Russia struggled against Uruguay in their first major challenge. I’m not sure they will have the mentality needed to topple Spain. Their players may freeze on the big stage, with the weight of the country on their shoulders. As a result, I’m plumping for a Spain win.

Spain vs Russia will be televised live in the UK on BBC 1 with kick off at 15:00 GMT.

Prediction: Spain 2-0 Russia

Suggested Tips – Spain vs Russia – (SKYBET):

  • Spain to win by exactly two goals – 10/3.
  • Spain win 2-0 – 11/2.
  • Anytime Goalscorer – Diego Costa – 5/4. 
  • First Goalscorer – Isco – 7/1. 
  • Spain to win, over 1.5 goals and Costa 1+ shots on target & Cheryshev 1+ shots on target – 10/3. 
  • Spain to win to nil, 3+ Spain corners and 20+ Russia Booking Pts – 5/2. (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.Tips updated at 10:35 GMT on 1st July 2018. Markets will not be updated again prior to the game kicking off.

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