Belgium v England II: Three best bets on the World Cup third-place playoff

Harry Kane: Last Goalscorer – 4/1

Much has been made of Harry Kane’s quest for the Golden Boot. The Spurs man has been rattling in the penalties, tap-ins and accidental flick-ons with alacrity, and currently stands on six goals, two ahead of Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku. There’s little doubt he will see the third/fourth-place playoff as an ideal opportunity to add a few to his tally.

Whether or not he’s given the chance to do so from the start remains to be seen, as there’s a possibility he’ll find himself ‘rested’ or rotated out of the side in order to give others a bit of time on the pitch. But we reckon it’s likely that he’ll have a go at some stage, which is why we’re favouring the Last Goalscorer market (4/1) ahead of First Goalscorer.

It covers plenty of results and outcomes, and allows for Kane coming off the bench to nab a last-minute winner, as well as offering more value than Anytime (Evens).

Team goals: England to score 3 or more in the match – 7/2

There have been three or more goals scored in each of the last four third/fourth-place playoffs. In fact, on each of those occasions, a single team has scored three goals.

In recent history, these playoffs have seen plenty of goals – one or both teams inevitably finds it hard to focus after the heartbreak of losing a semi-final. The Over/Under market for the game shows our traders are thinking of this, with Over 3.5 goals priced at 5/4 and Over 2.5 at 1/2.

With that in mind, we’re looking for the value and we reckon England will have more interest than Belgium in pursuing third, and will go for it against a team that isn’t afraid of leaving gaps at the back. So we’re backing England to cut loose and notch three or more in the 90 minutes at 7/2.

Both teams to score a header – 17/2

It’s a feature of this World Cup that England have been lethal from set pieces. Big Harry Maguire is a dangerous presence with that absolute slab of a head, but he’s not the only one who looks a threat. The whole team is well-organised from attacking dead balls. You wouldn’t put it past them to nod in another in this one.

Similarly, Belgium have also been a threat, with the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Vincent Kompany and Romelu Lukaku all among the most intimidating jumpers at the tournament.

As we’ve already touched on, there are goals in this game. It’s not unreasonable to think that some of those will be headers. At 17/2, there’s plenty of value to be found.