Groups C & D conclude today in Qatar with all eight teams in action today still in with a shout of reaching the knockout stages.
TUNISIA v FRANCE – Group D, 3.00
So far so good for reigning World Cup champions France. The Europeans have looked on song from day one of the tournament and if the likes of Mbappe and Dembele continue to perform as they have so far in Qatar then it’s going to take a really good side to stop the French becoming only the third nation to win back to back World Cups.
Tunisia promised much after an encouraging opening game showing against a Denmark side that reached the last four of the Euros last summer but Tunisia were outplayed and outfought by Australia last time out and now look to have little to no hope of progressing past the group stages.
With France only needing a point to secure top spot, Didier Deschamps is expected to ring the changes but reports do suggest Kylian Mbappe has declined the opportunity for a rest, and with the PSG star well in the mix for the golden boot after three goals in two matches he could be the difference once again.
Ex-Sunderland man Wahbi Khazri made a strong impact off the bench against Australia and may be called upon from the start today given he is Tunisia’s second-highest goalscorer of all-time.
AUSTRALIA v DENMARK – Group D, 3.00
Perhaps the more significant game in Group D today with Denmark needing a win against the Aussies if they are to avoid an early exit at this year’s World Cup. Despite shipping four goals in the opening game against France, Australia impressed going forward and they brought those positives into their next game when a clever headed goal by Mitchell Duke earned them a deserved 1-0 success against Tunisia.
Denmark on the other hand have looked blunt in attack so far with Andreas Christensen’s goal in the 2-1 defeat against France their only goal of the tournament so far. With a draw likely to be enough for Australia to qualify, they may set up defensively which will test out whether or not Denmark have the creativity to break them down.
The sides played out a 1-1 draw at the World Cup four years ago and Australia would gladly settle for similar today.
POLAND V ARGENTINA – Group C, 7.00
Could this be the last dance for Leo Messi on the big stage? Argentina must win to be certain of their place in the last 16 and given it took a Messi wonder goal to finally break down Mexico last time out, the great man may need to carry his country once again against Poland today.
Poland, meanwhile, were made to work hard for three points against Saudi Arabia last time out but the fact Robert Lewandowski finally broke his World Cup goal drought in that game could be huge as two of the greatest goalscorers in the planet face off in this Group C clash.
The Lewandowski and Messi both to have 2+ shots on target Price Boost is proving popular as you’d expect with an enhanced price of 11/2 (from 9/2) available here.
A point will do Poland and given they are yet to concede at this World Cup you could argue the 2/5 about an Argentina win looks on the short side.
SAUDI ARABIA v MEXICO – Group C, 7.00
It’s winner takes all as Saudi Arabia take on Mexico at 7.00 this evening. Nobody would have given the Gulf state a prayer of making the last 16 in a group containing such experienced World Cup competitors but Saudi Arabia’s mentality and aggressive style of play has shook up Group C and they now stand on the brink of World Cup group stage progression for just the second time.
Mexico are yet to score at the World Cup but they won’t panic just yet given Saudi Arabia have only kept one clean sheet in their last 18 matches.
Only for the heroics of Poland keeper Wojciech Szczęsny in the previous game, Saudi Arabia may have been heading into this game in an even stronger position. However, they did prove the result against Argentina was far from a fluke and given the nature of this game, we could be in for a real end to end encounter.
BTTS at 9/10 looks like the value here.
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