CROUCHY’S SHOUTS FOR England v Iran
Monday, 1pm, Live on BBC1 and RTE2
- England to Win
- Phil Foden to Have 2+ Shots on Target
- Declan Rice to Commit 1+ Fouls
- Over 5.5 Corners for England
*A Bet Builder on these 4 selections adds up to 7/1 on PaddyPower.com: Tap here to add it to your betslip instantly!
I expect Southgate to keep it steady and go with the players he’s used before with the Injuries England have suffered at the back. That means Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Kieran Tripper alongside Eric Dier and John Stones.
Those three centre-halves have great experience playing for England, while Shaw and Trippier feel like the safest options at wingback with the injuries to others.
It’s still a very capable team, you just wonder about the later stages, when you go up against the very top players like Mbappe, Benzema, Neymar, will it be enough.
If we’ve got Iran, USA and Wales in a group I feel like we’ve got enough about us to get more attacking players on the field.
I’d have four at the back and three in midfield – Bellingham, Rice and James Maddison – because you’re going to have a lot of possession against Iran and you want to get your most sreative players on the ball.
Sometimes we can really be caught up on our own them and underestimate others though.
We can’t take Iran lightly. Mehdi Taremi, who’s been scoring in the Champions League for Porto this season, is a dangerous player who Arsenal have been linked with.
And at World Cups there’s always a surprise package – you just hope it isn’t whoever England play!
I remember playing against Trinidad & Tobago in 2006. We were expected to walk all over them, but it wasn’t as easy as people thought.
Saying all that, I’m confident England can get out of the blocks with a bang and win comfortably in the end.
Phil Foden’s been in-and-out of the Man City team recently but he started the season in great form and got back scoring last week against Brentford.
I’d expect him to carry a big threat for England on Monday..
Generally these opening games can be quite cautious because no one wants to lose their first match. It could get a bit scrappy at times and Declan Rice will be in the thick of it in England’s midfield. I could see him making a few fouls in the game
With Stones, Maguire and Dier in the team there’s a huge threat from set=pieces for England just from their defence alone. Look at how many goals Tottenham and Harry Kane have got from corners and free-kicks this season too.
Corners are a big opportunity for England I’d expect quite a few in this game as England should dominate the ball.
*All odds quoted are correct at time of publication but subject to change
England v Iran Bet Builder tips
- England to Win
- Phil Foden to Have 2+ Shots on Target
- Declan Rice to Commit 1+ Fouls
- Over 5.5 Corners for England
*A Bet Builder on these 4 selections adds up to 7/1 on PaddyPower.com: Tap here to add it to your betslip instantly!
MONDAY WORLD CUP TIPS
- Thommo’s 5/1 England v Iran Bet Builder tips
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