What up, G? What’s up is that, according to a sportsbook for US players, Belgium, not England, is the favorite to win Group G. There is good news for Perfidious Albion, though. In a group that also includes Panama and Tunisia, the English should be a comfortable second place. Unlike four years ago. The Brits finished dead last in their group in Brazil in 2014. That was the unofficial end of the Wayne Rooney era. Belgium were UEFA Group H winners. England were UEFA Group F winners. Panama were CONCACAF Fifth Round third place. And Tunisia were CAF Third Round Group A winners.
Belgium (-125)
They you are the Kompany you keep. Belgium national football team’s manager Roberto Martin ez decided to keep good Kompany in the World Cup. However, Vincent Kompany will have up to up to 24 hours before their opener to prove he’s good to go. The dreaded reverse Jack Bauer! Kompany, Belgium’s center back and captain pulled his groin during a friendly with Portugal. “Until 24 hours before we can still make a replacement,” Martinez said. “We need to wait a period of seven, eight days with Vincent Kompany. Then we will get a good opportunity to make a diagnosis.” Martínez brought in Los Angeles FC defender Laurent Ciman just in case. Additionally, fellow center back Dedryck Boyata has also said he ready to take Kompany’s place in the starting lineup.
England (+120)
The state of English football since finishing fourth in the 1990 World Cup can be easily summarized. Winning either the World Cup or the European Championship means, after 1992, a berth in the Confederations Cup. England has never qualified for the Confederations Cup. ‘Nuff said. Perhaps that’s why manager Gareth Southgate has demanded a break with the past. ““We are nothing to do with the past,” Southgate said. “The past can inform us and help us but shouldn’t shape us. We have got to be our own team. This is a diverse team with different sets of skills. They have got a chance to make their own history.” Southgate would do well to remember the words of Jorge Agustín Nicolás Ruiz de Santayana y Borrás. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Tunisia (+1400)
The Eagles of Carthage became, in 1978, the first African country to win a World Cup game. Unfortunately, they haven’t amounted to much more than that. Tunisia has never reached the round of 16. This is despite that fact they have qualified for the last four straight World Cups. Including this one. Tunisian players do have something in their favor, and that’s team spirit. Goalie Mouez Hassan apparently has a rare condition known as spaghetti legs. Twice recently he has crumbled to the ground like a boxer throwing the fight. Two different games against two different opponents. The exact same time. Turns out it was a ruse to let his teammates rush the sidelines for water and food and break Ramadan fast.
Panama (+4000)
No sportsbook for US players will give Panama a snowball’s chance in hell in the World Cup. However, just being in Russia is already a victory for the Panamanians, who had never qualified for the global competition. “Four years ago the Panamanian people were really disappointed. There were a lot of people crying, very sad,” Seattle Sounders defender Roman Torres said. “Last year was something really motivating. A lot of people were crying again, but crying for joy. We made history. Panama is going to the World Cup for the first time.”
Odds taken from BetAnySports, one of the best online sportsbook websites, as well as a sportsbook for US players.
