JUNE 15: IVORY COAST v JAPAN TIPS

THERE have been goals galore at the start of the World Cup with many games unexpectedly going over 2.5 goals.

One that cries out goals, goals, goals is Ivory Coast v Japan in the early hours of the morning – and wouldn't it be ironic if this is the one that fails to deliver.

I can't many staying up for the 2am start but those who do should be rewarded with goals and an entertaining game.

Eleven of Ivory Coast's last 12 have seen both score while Japan showed their forward thinking in the Confederations Cup in Brazil when they lost 4-3 to Italy.

The Japanese were the first qualifiers for the finals and since then have won five friendlies in a row, including a 3-2 victory away to Belgium, and those matches have totalled 23 goals.

So the obvious bets are over 2.5 goals which is surpisingly big at 6-4 with Coral and both teams to score at 21-20 with Coral and Ladbrokes.

Picking a winner is tougher and I'm sitting on the fence by backing a score draw. Ivory Coast are marginal favourites at 7-4 with Coral while Japan are 2-1 at the likes of Betfred.

A draw pays 11-5 at bet365 and a score draw is 16-5 at Paddy Power.

Didier Drogba remains Ivory Coast's talisman but the former Chelsea hero starts on the bench. In his absence I'll take a chance on Swansea's Wilfried Bony scoring at 23-10 with William Hill.

Man City star Yaya Toure starts but isn't fully fit and his brother Kolo will be in a defence which is less than impressive with Lokeren keeper Boubacar Barry a weakness.

Japan have their own stars in Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda but both have suffered poor seasons. However, Honda comes to life on the big stage and in his country's colours and is the more likely of the two to hit the target.

He is 7-1 (various) to break the deadlock and 13-4 at 888sport to score.

Recommended Bets

Score draw
(16-5, Paddy Power)

Over 2.5 goals
(6-4, Coral)

Both teams to score
(21-20, Coral, Ladbrokes)

Bony to score
(23-10, William Hill)

Honda to score
(13-4, 888sport)

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