DON’T GET TOO RASH
Sterling must partner Kane
IT is the sporting question on everyone’s lips – who will lift the World Cup in Moscow on July 15?
Brazil are 9-2 and are worthy market leaders but they fell short on home soil four years ago and are reluctantly overlooked.
Holders Germany are also 9-2 and they must be a good side if they can afford to leave out Leroy Sane. But I still feel they will also fall short in their bid to become the first back-to-back winners since Brazil in 1962.
Belgium (10-1) have a wonderful squad but I fear they flatter to deceive again.
My two against the field are France (6-1) and England (16-1) and it is the Three Lions who get the vote to cause a shock in Russia.
I was staggered by suggestions Marcus Rashford should partner Harry Kane after an impressive 45 minutes against Costa Rica. How people have such short memories.
Where has Rashford been for the last nine months?
I would always go for Raheem Sterling to partner Kane.
The Manchester City star may have been booked for diving against Nigeria last weekend but, with VAR, I can see key decisions going his way in Russia.
Sterling is 50-1 to be named Player of the Tournament and 6-1 to be the Three Lions’ top scorer behind Kane at 11-10.
Gareth Southgate’s side are 11-10 to top their group behind even money Belgium.
I am not sure it makes a great deal of difference who wins the group as long as England qualify.
They should then be warm favourites against whoever they play from Group H – Japan, Poland, Senegal or Colombia – in the last 16.
BetVictor have several England specials for the tournament including: To get 9pts in Group stage ..... 7-2 To get no points .................. 150-1 Knocked out at Group ............ 6-1 Knocked out in last 16 ............ 7-4 Knocked out in quarters ....... 2-1 Knocked out in the semis .... 9-2 To be runners-up .............. 12-1 To be winners ..................... 16-1
Eden Hazard looks value at 5-1 to be Belgium’s top scorer.
He has the advantage that he is likely to be on penalty and free-kick duty although Kevin De Bruyne may not agree.
I think we will also see the best of Paul Pogba and Philippe Coutinho so back them for the Player of the Tournament, both 25-1 with BetVictor.