ENGLAND’S form heading into Qatar 2022 did little to suggest they were contenders but Three Lions fans are now dreaming of glory again.
Gareth Southgate’s men ended their six-game run without a win by battering Iran 6-2 in their World Cup opener and have since kept successive clean sheets in a draw with the USA and a 3-0 victory over Wales.
That saw them top Group B with a bit to spare and the English are now heavy favourites to see off Senegal in the last 16 tomorrow.
McBookie price them at just 1/5 to reach the quarter-finals with the odds on a win inside 90 minutes only a little better at 1/2.
Senegal are as big as 6/1 to win without extra-time or penalties and their price falls to 10/3 to qualify.
If England play at their best then they should progress but the African champions could be a tough nut to crack.
Senegal saw off a good Ecuador team to book their place in the last 16 and have pace and power in attack.
This one could go into extra time but the half-time draw looks better at 23/20 (Unibet) as that has come up in two of England’s three games so far.
Backing most goals to come after the break also appeals at 23/20 with McBookie as it came up in all of Senegal’s group matches.
That snore-fest with America aside, Southgate’s side have been impressive going forward and it will be interesting to see who starts in the wide areas given Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish have all found the net so far.
Rashford’s double against the Welsh should see him land a starting jersey and the Manchester United forward is 6/4 with McBookie for anytime scorer.
Harry Kane has yet to get off the mark and another Golden Boot looks unlikely.
He will be up against Chelsea’s Kalido Koulibaly today and I fancy the Senegal skipper to give him a few dunts. Unibet price him a 9/4 for a card and also have over 1.5 Koulibaly fouls at a tempting 6/5.
The Americans also looked good in the group stage, conceding just one goal in three games as they finished runners-up to England.
Gregg Berhalter’s men kick-off the knockout stages this afternoon against the Dutch and it doesn’t bode well for a thriller.
When Louis van Gaal was last boss of the Netherlands he reached the World Cup semis in 2014 but two of their three games in the knockout stage ended in 0-0 draws.
With the USA also placing an emphasis on a strong defence this clash could be cagey so I like the half-time draw again at 27/25 with Unibet while McBookie price a one-goal winning margin for either side at 5/4.
There’s a David v Goliath clash tonight as Australia’s shock troops bid to end Lionel Messi’s dream of World Cup glory with Argentina.
I thought the Aussies would finish bottom of their group but they battled to 1-0 wins over Tunisia and Denmark to defy the odds.
Argentina are a step up in class though and have bounced back from their shock loss to the Saudis with 2-0 wins over Mexico and Poland. The Socceroos will defend deep so Argentina -4 in the corner handicap appeals (10/11, Betfair).
Jackson Irvine has been putting himself about in midfield for the Aussies and the former Kilmarnock and Ross County star is 26/25 at Unibet to commit over 1.5 fouls.
The other knockout tie this weekend sees holders France take on Poland tomorrow.
The Poles were incredibly lucky to pip Mexico to a last-16 slot on goal difference and will try to frustrate the French.
Kylian Mbappe could make the difference after being rested for the shock defeat to Tunisia.
The PSG star is a best 21/20 with Bet365 for anytime scorer while McBookie price him at 10/3 to repeat the double he scored on his last start against Denmark.
Super Singles
- Super singles Over 1.5 Koulibaly fouls (6/5, Unibet).
- Half-time draw USA v Dutch (27/25, Unibet)
- Argentina -4 corner h’cap (10/11, Betfair)
- Mbappe to score (21/20, Bet365).
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I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
