2018 FIFA WORLD CUP

2018 FIFA WORLD CUP – Tunisia vs England PREVIEW



England are finally getting their campaign underway and it’s already a must win game for them. Knowing that a loss here could essentially put them in a very tough position, they need to pick up all 3 points. England are coming into the world cup with relatively high hopes, looking at their side this is the best they’ve had in a few years now led by one of the best strikers in the world in Harry Kane. Meanwhile Tunisia are no pushover, the highest ranked African team are here to make it tough for England and will try to advanced further. Knowing that England have had some horrible tournaments recently and are under pressure, they are going to have to deliver. So will it be another heartbreak for England, or will they get the tournament underway in a good fashion?

TUNISIA

Tunisia are coming into this world cup as a team not expected to go further than the Group Stages. Tunisia have a relatively decent side, they’ve shown some good signs coming into the world cup playing decent football. Tunisia have a well organised squad and does not lack creativity up top, they will be a tough nut to crack for England, but will also make England nervy at the back because they won’t just sit back for the whole game as they know that a win could be absolutely crucial for them. Tunisia don’t really seem to have players that stand out massively, they’re built as a team just like most African teams, their success comes from playing well together and it’s a good thing to have because good team unity causes problems for others. Looking at Tunisia’s weakness they do lack a legit, reliable centre forward as they have played Khalifa and Ben Youssef up front in their preparations who are mostly wingers and although it did work out, you still have to look at Tunisia’s centre forward problems and think that they do need one at the tournament otherwise they may get exposed against better defences, another problem with Tunisia is that their players tend to stay in their home country to play club football as the wages are massive and they don’t want to go Europe to improve themselves as players which could cost them when they come against good, technically gifted sides like England in the opening game.

Tunisia’s road to the world cup consistent of 2 rounds. In the 1st round they faced Mauritania over two legs beating them 2-1 in both games winning on aggregate 4-2 and advancing into the final stage. In the final group stage Tunisia faced D.R. Congo, Libya and Guinea. Libya and Guinea caused no threat however, Tunisia did have to battle with D.R Congo for the 1st place to qualify. Tunisia edged them by one point at the top having a solid overall record with 4W 2D 0L 14 points from 18. Tunisia going undefeated was a good sign, they scored 11 goals and conceded just 4 which is a decent ratio.

Tunisia had some tough opponents in their preparation to the world cup playing Portugal, Turkey and Spain. Tunisia actually impressed by drawing 2-2 with Portugal coming from 2-0 down and then picked up another 2-2 draw Turkey. Finally Tunisia played a very good game against Spain only losing 0-1 to a 83rd minute winner. Tunisia seemed to show decent goal scoring form in two of the games although defensively they were a little exposed in those game which they sorted out against Spain by holding them off nearly completely. Just a mix of good performances by Tunisia in these games and even without a win they’ll be encouraged against England.

ENGLAND

Yet another world cup for England, yet again they have hopes. England fans have been talking about how they want to reach the Quarters, but the players have set themselves even higher targets. Kane and Alli have said that they’re here for real and they’re here to win it all. Will England win it all? It’s unlikely, but do they have a good side? Yes. England have a mix of experienced and young players coming into this world cup, although their team is mostly inexperienced. Inexperience could cost England, but at the same time their young stars are finally breaking through, players like Loftus-Cheek, Rashford, Alexander-Arnold are all really good young future superstars who will get their chance to sign, although Rashford might miss the opener due to injury. England have a very exciting team going forward with Alli, Sterling, Kane, Vardy, Rashford, Lingard to choose from. There is a lot of creativity and pace in that team. England have struggled over the past major tournaments including failing to get out of the group stages 4 years ago and losing to Iceland in the Euros in 2016, but this breed of players are very talented and will try to right the wrongs. England’s weakness would probably be the lack of world class centre backs, with Cahill ageing, Stones still trying to grow up, Jones and Maguire not being world class, England could get exposed there, however they can do a job if they’re on their game, it’s just the inconsistency that would worry England fans. Also a lack of a good left back is problematic because Danny Rose hasn’t been healthy all season. Overall this is probably the most exciting England have looked in recent years and maybe they’ll get to stop saying 50 years of hurt. Beating Tunisia would be a good way to start.

England’s world cup qualifying campaign was solid as usual. England were in a group with Slovakia, Slovenia, Scotland, Lithuania and Malta. A group that involved three decent sides that made England work hard, but they didn’t cause them any problem to qualify. England topped the group by 8 points with a 8W 2D 0L record keeping their incredible unbeaten run at the qualifiers alive once again. England did not score many goals, didn’t even average 2 a game, but their defense was one of the best in the qualifying campaign in general just conceding 3 goals, 2 of those coming in one game against Scotland. England were led by Kane with 5 goals. Just a solid campaign as usual.

England have shown great form going into the world cup beating Nigeria 2-1 and Costa Rica 2-0. England got to rotate the squad in both games and everyone got a chance. Other than the 2nd half against Nigeria, they looked very solid and were a threat coming forward. Looking back on some friendlies from months ago, England had a few good results getting 0-0 draws against Germany and Brazil with their B/C team and also beating Holland away. It’s just good form from England, but they’ll have to finally show that at a tournament because everything becomes pointless if they go and lose the opener and get bounced early again.

What To Expect From the Game

We can expect England to be on the front foot for most of the game, Tunisia will be organised and will make it tough on England. England needs to make sure their inexperience doesn’t come into play if they struggle to break Tunisia down and most importantly they cant allow Tunisia to beat them. We can all expect players like Sterling, Alli, Lingard to be creating many chances and Harry Kane should finally show up at a major tournament game. The pace of the England team will be crucial in this game for them and Tunisia will have nightmares with it. Tunisia will stay patient and will look expose England on the break. This should be a much closer game than many people expect. England will win, but it will be narrow like 1-0 / 2-1.

ODDS – Decimal (WilliamHill)

Tunisia Win – 8.50

Draw – 4.20

England Win – 1.44

KICK OFF – 18th June 2018 – 7pm UK Time