Low-key England start as favourites against Tunisia
Low on expectations after repeated failures at major football tournaments, a youthful England side will look to start their World Cup campaign on a winning note when they take on Tunisia in a Group G encounter here on Monday. England are the third youngest team in the tournament and head coach Gareth Southgate has done his utmost to lower the expectations.
After the humiliation of a second round exit at the hands of Iceland in Euro 2016 and their failure to get past group stages in Brazil four years ago, England fans do not have high hopes from Harry Kane and Co. England don't boast of big names this time but there is a sense of bonhomie among the players and in Southgate they have a coach who understands them. Coming to Tunisia, they are playing in their fifth World Cup but they have never got beyond the group stages. Tunisia's only victory in 12 World Cup campaigns came in 1978 when they saw off Mexico to register the first ever win by an African team on the biggest stage of world football. England and Tunisia met at France 1998 with England winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Alan Shearer and Paul Scholes. This time, Tunisia's biggest weakness is the lack of superstars who can lead them to victory. The squad, dominated by local based players, doesn't include influential midfielder Youssef Msakni and the Tunisian league's top scorer Taha Yassine Khenissi, who have both been forced out by injuries.
Belgium not willing to take minnows Panama lightly
A strong Belgium side boasting of some of the big names in the business will be expected to run riot against proverbial minnows Panama in a Group G World Cup clash here on Monday. Wide forward Dries Mertens though cautioned his team not to take their opponents lightly after Iceland's surprise draw with Argentina. "Yeah, it is a World Cup, so every team that is there can play. They have something," Napoli star Mertens said.
The likes of Manchester United's Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea's Eden Hazard and Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne are three of the many names who star for their clubs throughout the season and will now look to click as a unit for Belgium on the biggest stage. In the midfield, Mousa Dembele, Yannick Carrasco and Axel Witsel are expected to start. Tottenham's central defensive pairing of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen will be key to protect Thibaut Courtois' goal. On paper, a talented Belgium side should have way too much firepower for Panama, who make history in their first ever game at a World Cup. Panama have built their reputation on a solid defence and a physical style of play under experienced coach Hernan 'Bolillo' Gomez. The central Americans have not impressed in warm-up games and it remains to see if their first ever World Cup match will be a Cinderella fairy tale or a rude awakening.
South Korea looking to upset Sweden
South Korea will try to create an upset when they face higher-ranked Sweden in their 2018 FIFA World Cup Group F opening match at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium here on Monday. South Korea, in their 10th World Cup, are certain underdogs in their group, where they are also paired with defending champions Germany and Latin American powerhouses Mexico, reports Yonhap news agency. Neither history nor statistics are in South Korea's favour when it comes to their meeting with Sweden.
South Korea have two draws and two losses from their four previous encounters with Sweden, although their last meeting was in 2005. Beginning in 2002, South Korea have not lost any of their first World Cup matches, collecting three wins and one draw. But whether it's a back three or a back four, South Korea kept a two-forward system with Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan playing up front. Son is arguably South Korea's best player in recent years. The Tottenham Hotspur talisman has 21 goals in 67 caps. If using 4-4-2, they're likely to be flanked by two Lees -- Hellas Verona's Lee Seung-woo on the left and Lee Jae-sung on the right.
Sweden, coached by Janne Andersson, have been pretty much sticking to their 4-4-2 system, with Al Ain striker Marcus Berg and Toulouse forward Ola Toivonen playing upfront. Their attacking ace, however, is RB Leipzig star Emil Forsberg. The 26-year-old left winger tends to cut into the centre to create chances. Viktor Claesson, who is with Russian side Krasnodar, is expected to start on the right wing. Led by captain Andreas Granqvist, Sweden boast defenders who are physically strong. Robin Olsen, who is with Danish club FC Copenhagen, is likely to wear the gloves for Sweden.
