FRED DONE
THE waiting is almost over with the greatest show on earth kicking when hosts Russia play 2,000/1 outsiders Saudi Arabia tomorrow in the World Cup opener.
England, with expectations at an all-time low, are good value at 18/1 with Betfred to be outright winners.
All the money has of late however been piling on all-star Brazil who are the new 9/2 favourites followed by holders Germany at 5/1.
It is the most open World Cup I can remember and you can easily make a case for eight nations – including England – to be lifting the trophy at the Luzhniki Stadium on July 15.
The Three Lions look a happy bunch – and that can only help. Although Belgium are favourites to finish top of Group G, I do believe it will be us.
Here’s my plea to Gareth Southgate: play Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling in our opener against Tunisia in Volgograd on Monday.
What a statement of intent that would be to include the speedkings from United and City in the same starting line-up. Agree? Well Betfred are 2/1 that Southgate takes my advice and they both start against Tunisia.
We haven’t got the best defence and have a new keeper and a midfield that isn’t the most creative, but what we have in abundance is pace – and a world class striker in Harry Kane.
Rashford is oozing confidence with England, unlike on the majority of occasions he’s in the red of United. This is a reflection on Jose Mourinho’s tactics and inability to get the best out of him.
Regarding Sterling, his runs creating space for others are amazing – and like all patriotic fans I just wish he could dramatically up his scoring ratio for he always seems to need three or four chances before hitting the target.
From Group A I’m going for Russia and Egypt to progress while Portugal and Spain will make the knock-out stages from Group B. Group C will see France and my dark horses Australia go through along with Argentina and Croatia from Group D. Bet on the samba boys and underrated Serbia to progress from Group E, with Germany and Mexico making the last-16 out of Group F. England and Belgium are sure to top Group G while Group H will be tight, but expect Poland and Senegal to go through.
One of the most popular bets in the last few days has been for England to win their opener against Tunisia 3-1 which is available at Betfred at 10/1 with Kane 2/1 to score first.
Neymar is the new 9/1 Betfred favourite to be top scorer in Russia, but I reckon that honour will go to France’s Antoine Griezmann – who, like Messi, is 10/1.
Brazil’s PSG superstar is the 8/1 favourite at Betfred to be player of the tournament.