Thursday’s World Cup tips: Japan and Colombia to put on a show
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Preview and tips ahead of final group clashes
What a Thursday we have in store as the Group Stages of the World Cup draw to a close and the last-16 is finalised.
England and Belgium meet in Kaliningrad to decide the winner of Group G. And you can enjoy a full preview of that in our Big Match Breakdown.
However, the Coral News Team aren’t resting on our laurels when it comes to the other three games. Check out our tips ahead of those games below…
Japan v Poland, 3:00pm
Japan need just a point from this game to qualify for the knockout phase. Poland are already eliminated having lost their opening two games.
Robert Lewandowski and co. look in complete disarray. Adam Nawalka’s squad are not in good shape. Key players are either injured or out of form.
However, Coral traders can’t split the two sides. Japan are 8/5, with Poland at 7/4. The Draw is available at 11/5.
Interestingly, the pair have clashed twice before, with the Asian nation winning on both occasions. While the odds don’t overly favour them here, the situation does. Akira Nishino’s side don’t have to over-extend themselves looking for a win.
They can sit in and counter on a Polish side who are particularly leaky at the back. Japan are 4/5 to win Draw No Bet. They’re also 5/2 to win with Over 1.5 Goals in the game.
Poland won’t want to leave Russia without giving a half-decent account of themselves. Both Teams To Score is 5/6.
Senegal v Colombia, 3:00pm
We’re expecting an absolute cracker here in Samara. Both sides know a win will put them through. However, a draw would also put Senegal and Colombia through if Poland beat Japan.
It’s complicated. But we can’t see these two sides leaving it to the Polish. Colombia arguably put on the performance of the tournament last time out, dismantling Poland 3-0 in exhilarating fashion.
Jose Pekerman’s side are 17/20 to win, with Senegal out at 17/5. The Draw is 5/2.
This clash looks like it could be end-to-end. Aliou Cisse’s African qualifiers have played some super football in the first two games, scoring two in each of them.
Colombia have also scored four, and looked imperious going forward against the Polish. Over 2.5 Goals is Evens. Colombia to win and over 2.5 Goals is 21/10.
Los Cafeteros’ main strength lies in their attack. The quartet of Radamel Falcao, Juan Quintero, James Rodriguez, and Juan Cuadrado is a mixture of pace, quile, and finishing ability.
James is 2/1 to score Anytime. For Senegal, Sadio Mane has looked dangerous throughout the tournament. He’s 12/5 to find the net Anytime.
Panama v Tunisia, 7:00pm
In reality, this is a dead rubber. But both teams will view this as an opportunity to win a World Cup game.
Tunisia are 5/6 for the three points, with Panama out at 16/5. The draw is available at 27/10. You’d have been forgiven for backing Tunisia to win this at half-time of the Panama-England game.
The CONCACAF side were a rabble. Tunisia didn’t fare too much better in their 5-2 defeat against Belgium. But the African side possess the much greater quality here, either way.
Despite scoring their first World Cup goal against England last time out, the Central American outfit only managed nine in qualifying.
They simply don’t have many goals in them. Tunisia will push for the win. And this could be action-packed at both ends. Tunisia to win and Over 1.5 Goals is 6/5.
Wahbi Khazri has once again proven to be the Eagles of Carthage’s main man. The Sunderland forward found the net against the Belgians in the previous game.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
