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Best Bet: Lukaku to run riot when Belgium face Panama

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Best Bet: Lukaku to run riot when Belgium face Panama With the odds stacked so heavily in Belgium’s favour as they prepare for their Group G opener with World Cup newcomers Panama, there’s very little value whatsoever in looking at the outcome markets for Monday’s match.With an industry best price of 1.22 on Roberto Martinez’s s...

World Cup warm up: Can ultimate underdog Panama exploit Belgium's weaknesses?

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World Cup warm up: Can ultimate underdog Panama exploit Belgium's weaknesses? There have been a number of so-called mismatches in quality at the World Cup so far but Belgium’s meeting with debutants Panama is undoubtedly the greatest on paper. Roberto Martinez’s side entered the tournament among the outside shots to lift the trophy and will have been enthused by t...

World Cup Scout: Costa Rica vs Serbia - Manchester United target to live up to hype

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World Cup Scout: Costa Rica vs Serbia - Manchester United target to live up to hype While Costa Rica are very much a team and one perhaps greater than the sum of their modest individual parts, the opposite could perhaps be said of Serbia until recently.The Europeans have quality, experience and competition for places across their squad, and if they can click this summer Mladen Krst...

Best Bet: Serbia’s favourites price against Costa Rica still represents value

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Best Bet: Serbia’s favourites price against Costa Rica still represents value It may only be their second ever appearance at a World Cup finals as an independent nation but Serbia have the quality to counteract their inexperience of football’s grandest stage.Qualifying from a competitive group ahead of home nations Wales and Republic of Ireland, as well as Austria, the ...

World Cup warm up: Can leggy Costa Rica recover in time for Serbia opener?

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World Cup warm up: Can leggy Costa Rica recover in time for Serbia opener? As far as warm up friendlies were concerned, Costa Rica clearly wanted to test themselves against some esteemed opposition in the build up to the finals in Russia but convincing defeats to England and Belgium may have taken their toll.The surprise package of 2014 arguably have a more favourable grou...

One to Watch: Meza versatility to sideline Dybala and Pavon for Argentina opener

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One to Watch: Meza versatility to sideline Dybala and Pavon for Argentina opener It’s fair to say that when Argentina open their World Cup campaign on Saturday against Iceland that all eyes will be on their talismanic captain.Indeed, for all of the enviable talent at Jorge Sampaoli’s disposal, particularly in attack, the modus operandi is still the worst kept secret ...

The Best Bet: Iceland to pose problems for underprepared Argentina

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The Best Bet: Iceland to pose problems for underprepared Argentina Backed in as fifth favourites ahead of the finals in Russia, Argentina’s World Cup pedigree is unquestionable but they are far from the infallible unit that the odds suggest for their tournament opener with Iceland.Jorge Sampaoli’s side are of course the favourites for Saturday’s e...

World Cup warm up: Argentina set to play it safe against giant killers Iceland

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World Cup warm up: Argentina set to play it safe against giant killers Iceland Playing it safe isn’t a phrase that you would associate with Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli too often but the former Chile boss seems set to name an experienced line-up for their World Cup opener with Iceland on Saturday.From the Marcelo Bielsa school of experimental formations and daring attac...

World Cup Scout: Russia vs Saudi Arabia - All eyes on Arsenal target

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World Cup Scout: Russia vs Saudi Arabia - All eyes on Arsenal target It may be an underwhelming opening to the 2018 World Cup but there are still some players on display when Russia face Saudi Arabia that will be being monitored by scouts from across Europe, with one player in particular set to be in the spotlight.While Fedor Smolov’s goals will be crucial to t...

The Best Bet: How to treble your money on Russia vs Saudi Arabia

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The Best Bet: How to treble your money on Russia vs Saudi Arabia There’s always plenty of pressure on the host nation to win the opening match of the tournaments but that weight of expectation is even heavier on Russia, with the bookies making them strong favourites to overcome Saudi Arabia.The AFC qualifiers are the lowest seed in a group that is deemed by...