Russia 2018: A Look At England’s Group Ahead Of The World Cup

It’s safe to say most England fans are pretty happy with the World Cup. It’s also safe to say there’s not a great deal of confidence in the England side.

 

Which is worrying, especially when we’ve slipped on a number of banana skins when it comes to opposition in recent years. But do we need to be worried when it comes to Russia 2018?

 

England are 1/10 to qualify from World Cup Group G and 16/1 to win the tournament. We take an early look at their opposition and where to look out for their key men before the summer.

Tunisia

The Tunisians are first up for Gareth Southgate’s men in what the bookies are predicting a comfortable win. England are currently 2/ 5 for this one and they will be desperate to get off to a good start given recent tournaments.

 

Tunisia have few players at top clubs around Europe with their key man likely to be Valencia’s Aymen Abdennour. Currently on loan at Marseille, the central defender will be a big player for them as they’ll look to keep it tight at the back if they have any hopes of qualification.

 

It’s the side’s first World Cup since Germany 2006 and they’re at 4/1 to get out of Group G, a solid World Cup free bet if you’re expecting Southgate or the Belgians to slip up.

Panama

It’ll be Panama’s first World Cup and, a bit like Iceland were at the Euros, will be an unknown quantity in Russia.

 

England will be wanting to seal their place in the knockout rounds in this game however, and we’d expect them to do it.

 

The Three Lions are 2/7 for this game, with the nation having very few players at major clubs. Most play in their home leagues, while there are multiple members of the squad playing in the USA.

 

There are a few veterans in the side; Luis Tejada and Gabriel Gomez are both beyond 100 caps and will be certainly trying to drive the others on for that 6/1 shot of qualification from the group.

Belgium

You’d expect a few of the Premier League’s English boys to be going in hard on the likes of Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku over the next few months. Raheem Sterling could certainly do Southgate a favour in training with De Bruyne a frightening talent.

 

The Belgians are a squad full of world class players but England will hope to be already qualified come the last game of the Group Stage.

 

Roberto Martinez’s men are favourite to qualify from Group G at Russia 2018 and a 10/1 shot for the tournament.

 

They’ll be wanting to make up for a poor Euros, losing out to Wales, but they’re yet to prove they’re a team rather than a bunch of talented individuals.

 

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