📰 Table Of Contents
Accumulator of the day:
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
Morocco vs Croatia
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
This game is extremely tough to call.
On paper, Croatia are the obvious favourites, having reached the most-recent World Cup Final in Russia.
Zlatko Dalić’s team come into this tournament following five straight wins, qualifying for the Nations League Finals back in September.
But, don’t write of Morocco, who are buoyant following the sacking of the very unpopular Vahid Halilhodžić.
Now with Walid Regragui in charge, star players like Noussair Mazraoui and Hakim Ziyech are back in the fold.
The Atlas Lions’ primary objective is to win a first World Cup game since France ‘98, crashing out four years ago with a solitary point to their name.
Will there be a winner at Al-Bayt Stadium?
Germany vs Japan
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
After crashing out in the group stages in 2018, doing so for the first time in 80 years, Germany will be taking nothing for granted.
Prior to that catastrophe in Russia, die Mannschaft had reached at last the semi-finals at four successive World Cups, lifting the trophy in Brazil.
Now, in their first major tournament under Hansi Flick, supporters believe that their team are amongst the favourites.
At World Cups, Germany had won all seven matches against Asian nations, before being beaten by Korea Republic in Kazan.
In this one, Japan could be similarly tough opposition, hopeful of knocking out one of Group E’s two heavyweights.
The Samurai Blue will feature at a seventh successive World Cup, alternating between exiting in the round of 16 and the group phase since their debut at France ‘98.
Having gone out to Belgium in the second round four years ago, the sequence dictates that Hajime Moriyasu’s team will be heading home on 1 December.
Logic also suggests that this is the most likely outcome, but Japan are an excellent side, now looking to show the world what they’re capable of.
Germany are favourites to win this one, no doubt, but, having not kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven competitive outings, expect goals at Khalifa International Stadium.
Spain vs Costa Rica
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
If you enjoying watching one team have >85% while the other bunkers and looks to cling on for dear life, then is this the game for you!
Across 25 competitive games since October 2020, Spain’s average possession is 73%, a figure that’s only likely to rise here.
However, Luis Enrique’s team team do struggle to score goals, only netting more than twice in five of those outings.
If one was being unkind, you’d attribute that to the fact their man leading the line is Álvaro Morata.
In fairness, he has got 27 international goals to his name, and is la Roja’s leading goal-scorer of all-time at European Championships.
This’ll be Morata’s World Cup debut, so will he be able to mark it with a goal?
Costa Rica meantime ended qualification with seven wins out of eight, including ousting New Zealand in June’s inter-confederation play-off.
Los Ticos stunned the world in 2014, topping a group featuring Uruguay, Italy and England, eventually defeated in the quarter-finals.
Once again, Luis Fernando Suárez’s side are a massive long-shot to advance, and will need to pull off a similar miracle to start with a positive result.
Will Spain swat Costa Rica aside at Al-Thumama Stadium?
Belgium vs Canada
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
Can Canada beat 2018 semi-finalists Belgium in, what will be, les Rouges’ first World Cup game since 1986?
The Canucks, despite their lack of tournament expirence, do come into this competition confident of competing with the best.
In 20 qualifiers, John Herdman’s side conceded just eight goals, going unbeaten across four games against USA and Mexico.
Their front three of Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Cyle Larin are certainly capable of causing Belgium’s aging defence problems.
As for the Red Devils, their golden generation are starting to shine a little less brightly; possibly more of a bronze generation now?
Roberto Martínez’s team did reach the semi-finals four years ago, but many of his key players are now significantly past their prime.
Romelu Lukaku is out injured, but any team featuring Kevin De Bruyne is capable of winning games.
This one at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium should guarantee goals.
