With the 2018 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, several of world football’s top nations have friendly matches pencilled in this week ahead of the summer’s showpiece tournament in Russia.
England face Costa Rica at Elland Road on Thursday, while the likes of potential dark horses Belgium, world champions Germany, and the well-fancied Spain, France and Brazil are also in action this week. Can Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions depart with another win before boarding the plane to Russia or will Costa Rica once again thwart England?
- Belgium v Egypt – Belgium to Win -2 (13/5 at Betfair)
- England v Costa Rica – England Win & BTTS (23/10 at Coral)
- Germany v Saudi Arabia – Germany to Win Both Halves (8/11 at Bet365)
- Poland v Chile – Draw & BTTS (15/4 at Ladbrokes)
- Spain v Tunisia – Spain to Win 3-0 (7/1 at BetVictor)
- France v USA – France to Win 2-0 (9/2 at Bet365)
- Austria v Brazil – Brazil to Win 2-1 (7/1 at Bet365)
International Friendlies
With the World Cup just around the corner, the 32 participating nations will be putting the finishing touches on their preparations for the big kick-off. There are a number of mouth-watering and intriguing friendlies taking place over the course of the week before the real stuff gets underway in Russia in just over a week’s time.
Belgium v Egypt – 6th June
Roberto Martinez’s Belgium have two friendlies left before heading to Russia. Before facing Costa Rica next Monday, the Red Devils welcome Hector Cuper’s Egypt to Brussels this Wednesday evening.
The Belgians, who have a very capable set of players, will be looking to go far at the World Cup. As for Egypt, they will be hoping that Mohamed Salah is fit and able before their first World Cup for 28 years gets underway against Uruguay.
With this taking place in the Belgian capital, Martinez’s men should be too strong for an Egypt side without Salah on Wednesday. Belgium to win -2 is nicely priced at chunky looking odds of 13/5 with Betfair.
Belgium to Win -2 – 13/5 at Betfair
England v Costa Rica – 7th June
Southgate and his England side entertain Oscar Ramirez’s Costa Rica at Leeds United’s home on Thursday night. After beating Nigeria last weekend, the English will be eager to seal another victory in this one.
Southgate has a good winning record as England boss, while his side have not lost since falling to a narrow 3-2 defeat to France last June. Costa Rica, meanwhile, eased past Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland 3-0 on Sunday.
England should have enough to get past the Costa Ricans in West Yorkshire on Thursday, although we do fancy the visitors to get on the scoresheet. The home win and both teams to score at Elland Road is available at 23/10 (Coral).
England Win & Both Teams to Score – 23/10 at Coral
Germany v Saudi Arabia – 8th June
World champions Germany welcome Saudi Arabia to the BayArena in Leverkusen for a friendly matchup on Friday night. The Germans are the overwhelming favourites to seal a big win in this one.
Germany may be one of the favourites to lift the World Cup this summer but Die Mannschaft go into this friendly having failed to win any of their last five. Nevertheless, the current World Cup holders should be far too strong for the Green Falcons on Friday.
When these last two met, Germany ran out emphatic 8-0 winners at the 2002 World Cup. We could see a similar outcome on Friday, so have a punt on the Germans to win both halves at great value odds of 8/11 with Bet365.
Germany to Win Both Halves – 8/11 at Bet365
Poland v Chile – 8th June
Adam Nawalka’s Poland and Reinaldo Rueda’s Chile meet at the INEA Stadion in Poznan on Friday night. The Poles are getting ready for the World Cup, while the Chileans will be watching from afar having failed to qualify thanks to some late slips in qualifying.
With a number of world class players in their squad, Poland could be a team to watch in Russia. During World Cup qualifying, Nawalka’s men won eight of 10 games and with Robert Lewandowski leading the line are always a threat. Chile, meanwhile, are one the biggest nations to have missed out.
This should be an entertaining game in Poznan, and we fancy this to end in a stalemate. You can get the draw and both teams to score at 15/4 at Ladbrokes.
Draw & Both Teams to Score – 15/4 at Ladbrokes
Spain v Tunisia – 9th June
On Saturday night, Julen Lopetegui’s Spain and Nabil Maaloul’s Tunisia lock horns at the Krasnodar Stadium in Russia. The Tunisians will be England’s first opponents at the World Cup so Southgate and the rest of England’s staff will be watching this contest very closely.
After a tournament to forget in Brazil four years ago, Spain will want to put things right in Russia this summer. They may not be the dominant force they once were, but the Spanish still have a very strong and talented squad with brilliant players in every position.
Spain should brush Tunisia aside with ease in Krasnodar on Saturday, and we feel there’s good value in BetVictor’s top price of 7/1 for the Spanish to win 3-0.
Spain to Win 3-0 – 7/1 at BetVictor
France v USA – 9th June
Didier Deschamps’ France will be eager for another win when they entertain USA at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon on Saturday evening.
Les Bleus are in good form, making light work of Roberto Mancini’s Italy in Nice last Friday. Goals from Samuel Umtiti, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele were enough for a 3-1 victory over Gli Azzurri.
France will back themselves to chalk up another victory when they face America in Lyon on Saturday. The 2-0 French win is available at the decent price of 9/2 with Bet365.
France to Win 2-0 – 9/2 at Bet365
Austria v Brazil – 10th June
Franco Foda’s in-form Austria host Tite’s Brazil at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna on Saturday afternoon. This will be a stern test for the Brazilians, who head to Russia as one of the tournament favourites despite having failed so miserably four years ago on home soil.
Austria may have come up short in their quest to reach Russia, but they have won their last seven games in a row. Brazil, who beat Croatia 2-0 on Sunday, have not tasted defeat since losing to rivals Argentina in a friendly way back in June 2017.
This could be close, but we fancy the class of Brazil to nick it in Vienna. Take a punt on the 2-1 Canarinho triumph, which Bet365 have priced at the tempting odds of 7/1.
Brazil to Win 2-1 – 7/1 at Bet365