This second duel in group G has its big favourite, and that is certainly England, the team that played the qualifiers very good and they have not lost in friendly matches and have come to Russia with great expectations, while Tunisia wants to pass the knockout stage at world championships. Tunisians have missed the previous two World Cups, but they have played the qualifiers without defeat, and they have some good friendly matches after that too. England has also passed the qualifiers without defeat, but with also six friendly matches. These two teams met at the World Cup in 1998 in France, when England celebrated with 2-0.
The Tunisians have missed the previous two World Cups, after having played three consecutive times and they have in total four appearances in world championships, however, they have not failed to achieve a more remarkable result and they were routinely eliminated after the group stage. Their wish is to finally make that step upon return to the big scene, but after the draw it was clear that it would be very difficult to achieve this goal. They have two obstacles against two very strong European teams, and the big issue is whether Tunisia has enough strength and quality to defeat the English and the Belgian, while they will in duel against Panama have a role of a favourite. Only that victory will probably not be enough and that is why they are hoping for at least a draw in this match with England.
They did not exactly shinned in qualifiers, but they did not lose matches, while they were only defeated in their last friendly match against Spain, although minimally, when they received a goal in the finish of the match. They defeated Iran and Costa Rica and played draws with strong Portugal and Turkey, both times with a score of 2-2, but they were losing with 2-0 against Portugal, so this draw has a special value. This match, as mentioned above, was in fact an indication of how to play against the favourites and they will probably play in a similar composition, in which it seems there is no place for Khazri, one of the biggest stars, so the biggest hopes are the players from French League, Skhiri, Khaoui and Sliti.
Probable lineups Tunisia: Hassen – Broon, Meriah, S.Ben Youssef, Maaloul – Skhiri, Sassi – Badri, Khaoui, Sliti – F.Ben Youssef
With this match, the English team is heading for a new attempt to finally make something at big tournaments because they have been mostly losers at the European and world championships for years, and it was known to happen that they even fail to qualify for the World Cup or European Championship, so they missed European Championship in 2008. Four years ago in Brazil they were not able to pass the group stage, but they also had unpleasant rivals like Italy and Uruguay, but now it should be little easier, at least by the names of the rivals. However, everything will depend on the English themselves because they have previously known to lose from the weaker rivals, as it was in the duel against Costa Rica in Brazil or Iceland at the European Championship in France two years ago.
They did not lose any matches in qualifiers, and with eight wins they made two draws, and no one has defeated them in friendly matches after that. They have made three wins and they played draws against their very strong rivals, Germany, Brazil and Italy, they defeated Netherlands and weak opponents for the end, Nigeria and Costa Rica. They have not lost any gamed for a long time, but they have remained without some important players on this World Cup. Oxlade-Chamberlain got injured, while Wilsher and Lallane are absent, as well as goalkeeper Hart and striker Sturridge. They will probably play with three players in the last line, and their strong defence should be one of the main assets, but they are have lot of hope in striker Kane.
Probable lineups England: Pickford – Walker, Stones, Maguire – Trippier, Henderson, Dele Alli, Young – Lingard – Sterling, H.Kane
Tunisians are a team, which if they have their day, can stand up to the best teams and it will not probably be easy to the favoured England, so we predict that even if they win, it will not be without struggle.
Pick: Asian Handicap +1.5
Tunisia 1.63 - 63/100 @1XBet