Ecuador vs Curacao and Tunisia vs Japan are the World Cup matches taking place in the early hours of Sunday morning and later in the day Spain take on Saudi Arabia, Belgium meet Iran and Uruguay clash with Cape Verde
Group E Ecuador vs Curacao (Kansas City)
Both of these sides are playing catch up after losing their opening games and the group is led by Germany and Ivory Coast who meet in Toronto on Saturday night and you can read our preview here.
Ecuador:
Ecuador went down 1-0 to Ivory Coast in their first action of the tournament in Philadelphia. They hit the woodwork twice in the first half and once in the second and then conceded the only goal of the game in the 90th minute. The defeat ended Ecuador’s 19 game unbeaten run which goes back the best part of 2 years. The just shaded possession but only 1 of their 12 shots was on target and the corner count finished 6-3 in their favour.
Curacao:
Curacao came up against Germany in Houston in their first appearance in the World Cup Finals and it ended in a 7-1 defeat. The tournament’s minnows were 1-0 down in 6 minutes but in the 21st minute Livano Comenencia drove in an equalizer with 1 of their 2 shots on target. It was 3-1 to Germany by half time with Curacao on the back foot. In terms of corners they were awarded 1 to Germany’s 8.
The Betting:
Ecuador are priced at around 1 / 11 to win the game with the draw available at 15/2 and Curacao can be backed at around 25/1.
A game of 4 goals or more is priced at 21/20 and its 19/10 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
Although Curacao scored against Germany I’m going to work on the principle that Ecuador and will win and keep a clean sheet. Then in order to get a pice I’m comfortable with it’s about how many goals they can score, I’m hoping 4, 5 or 6
Bets: Multi correct score 4-0, 5-0 or 6-0 at 21/10 with Hollywoodbets
Note, odds are subject to change
Group F Tunisia vs Japan (Monterrey)
After the opening round of matches Sweden topped this group with 3 points, the Netherlands and Japan have 1 a piece and Tunisia were still to open their account. The Dutch and Sweden will clash in Houston on Saturday evening and you can read our preview here.
Tunisia
Tunisia came up against Sweden in their opening group match in Monterrey and pretty much everything that could go wrong did go wrong as they crashed and burned 5-1. They were 2-0 down inside half an hour and although Omar Rekik made it 2-1 just before half time Sweden scored 3 further goals in the second half and stats of 2 shots on target, just the 2 corners and an XG of 0.29 illustrated how Tunisia found it tough going. The fall out from that defeat was ruthless as coach Sabri Lamouchi subsequently left the post and he has been replaced by Herve Renard.
Japan
Japan’s opening match against the Netherlands in Dallas was 0-0 at half time but a cracking second half eventually saw the game finish 2-2. Japan had to come from behind twice to claim a point and their goals came from Keito Nakamura and then Daichi Kamada who scored in the 89 the minute. Japan had 19 touches in the opposition box whilst the Netherlands had 33 and although the bulk of the stats came down in favour of the Dutch they refused to buckle.
The Betting:
Tunisia are priced at around 56/10 to win the game with the draw available at 26/10 and Japan can be backed at around 11/20
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at even money and its 12/10 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
Whether the sudden change in coach will have any impact on Tunisia’s fortunes is hard to gauge but both teams to score (yes) backers collected in the opening matches in this group and I’ll take my chances that trend will continue.
Bets: Both teams to score? Yes at 12/10 with Hollywoodbets
Note, odds are subject to change
Group H Spain vs Saudi Arabia (Atlanta)
After the opening round of matches in Group H all 4 teams have 1 point against their names and Uruguay and cape Verde, the other nations in the group will face off later in the day.
Spain
Spain were overwhelming favourites for their opening match against Cape Verde in Atlanta and I reckon the bookies will have been toasting the Islanders who kept the European Champions out to come away with a 0-0 draw. Spain had almost three quarters of possession, 7 of their 27 shots were on target, they had 11 corners and hot the woodwork once but they couldn’t find anyway through.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia opened their campaign against Uruguay in Miami and they will be more than happy with the 1-1 draw. It could have been even better as Abdulelah al Amri put them in front just before half time and despite coming under huge pressure they held that lead until the 80th minute. Goalkeeper Mohammed al Owais made 9 saves in total whilst the Uruguay keeper made just the 2 and 3 of Saudi’ 7 shots were on target.
The Betting:
Spain are priced at around 1 / 10 to win the game with the draw available at 7/1 and Saudi Arabia can be backed at around 25/1
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 9/20 and its 37/20 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
Spain rarely fire blanks and after being held by Cape Verde they may take their frustration out on the Saudi’s. I’ll go with Spain to score twice in the second half.
Bets: Spain 2nd half total goals over 1.5 at 9/10 with Hollywoodbets
Note, odds are subject to change
Group G Belgium vs Iran (Los Angeles)
New Zealand and Egypt, who meet in the early hours of Sunday morning are the other nations in this group and all 4 teams have 1 point against their name.
Belgium:
Belgium opened their tournament against Egypt in Seattle and they had to come from a goal down to force a 1-1 draw. Egypt were in front after 20 minutes, Kevin de Bruyne hit the woodwork in the second half and shortly afterwards it needed a 66th minute own goal for Belgium to square things up. Nearly all the main stats were pretty even although Belgium only had the 2 corners to Egypt’s 7
Iran:
Iran’s opening match against New Zealand in Los Angelese finished in a 2-2 draw. They were 1-0 down early doors but Ramin Rezaeian made it 1-1 by half time. Iran conceded again early in the second half before a 64th minute equalizer from Mohammad Mohebbi rounded off the scoring. Iran’s keeper was busier than his New Zealand counterpart as they registered 4 shots on target to their opponents 8.
The Betting:
Belgium are priced at around 9/20 to win the game with the draw available at 32/10 and Iran can be backed at around 13/2.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 8/10 and its 11/10 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
Although I’m not convinced by this Belgium side I’m with them to pick up 3 points here in a game of 3 goals or more in total at a boosted price.
Bets: Match result and total goals, Belgium win and over 2.5 boosted to 27/20 by Sportingbet
Note, odds are subject to change
Group H Uruguay vs Cape Verde (Miami)
These two nations plus Spain and Cape Verde (who meet in the game earlier in the preview) all have 1 point to show for their opening matches and it’s all to play for.
Uruguay:
Maxi Araujo scored an 80th minute equalizer for Urugay against Saudi Arabia in their opening match in Miami. They were 1-0 down at half time but despite boasting two thirds of possession, registering 27 shots of which 10 were on target, being awarded a whopping 14 corners and hitting the woodwork they had to settle for a point.
Cape Verde:
Cape Verde are making their debut in the World Cup Finals and their first action against Spain in Atlanta was fairytale stuff as they claimed a point from a 0-0 draw. They manged 6 shots of which 1 was on target (a very decent late chance) and they only forced 1 corner but perhaps the most relevant stat was the 7 saves made by 40 year old goalkeeper Vozinha
The Betting:
Uruguay are priced at around 5/10 to win the game with the draw available at 11/4 and Cape Verde can be backed at around 6/1.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 11/10 and its 14/10 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
I expect Uruguay to have the bulk of the possession and I’m hoping their knack of collecting corners will continue.
Bets: Uruguay total corners over 6.5 at 23/20 with Sportingbet
Note, odds are subject to change
