Fan favorites Belgium and England start their 2018 World Cup in Russia on Monday while Sweden battles South Korea. Our panel offers up all their predictions for the action.
Sweden vs South Korea (Monday in Nizhny Novgorod)
Steen Kirby: All eyes will be on Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min has he tries to lift his country into the World Cup. That said, Emil Forsberg of RB Leipzig in Bundesliga is my player to watch. Forsberg and striker Marcus Berg have helped lift a relatively journeyman Swedish side into the World Cup and they hope more joy is to come. South Korea has a weak roster and they aren’t particularly stable as a side, Sweden should get the result. Sweden 2-0
Lukas Weese: In a critical Group F matchup, Sweden and South Korea will hit the pitch trying to seize control of a group where Germany is the favourite. Without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden has transformed into a balanced team that consists of striker Marcus Berg, defender Andreas Granqvist and attacking midfielder Emil Forsberg. They are facing off against a South Korea, which did not register a single win in the 2014 World Cup. They will need to rely on forward Son Heung-min’s attacking versatility, coupled with striker Kim Shin-wook, to control the possession and provide scoring opportunities in the air. 2-0 Sweden
Matt Pollard: These are hands down the two worst teams in Group F and a loss virtually means elimination. South Korea’s roster doesn’t have a lot of quality experience outside the Asian continent (for club or country. Son Heung-min could easily be the best player on the field, but it won’t be enough. The Blagult defense will have this game on lock. 1-0 Sweden
Belgium vs Panama (Monday in Sochi)
Steen: On paper this is the biggest mismatch of the opening round. Panama does not have a single player in their roster that plays in Europe’s big 5 leagues, while Belgium has over 20 players of their 25 man roster who play in those leagues including Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne in the midfield. Panama grinded their way to an amazing qualifying result but high scoring Belgium should cement an early lead and maintain it in this game. Belgium 4-0
Lukas: This is a mismatch in Group G. Belgium consists of a star-studded lineup. Panama has an aging squad, considered by many as the weakest team in the World Cup. Managed by Roberto Martinez, Belgium will dictate possession early with its dominant attack led by Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku. De Bruyne is one of the best passers in the world and it will be incredibly hard for Panama to keep up with this Belgium squad for 90 minutes. 2-0 Belgium
Matt: The golden generation for Belgium is probably the best hope for a first-time winner in this World Cup. They’re stacked from front to back. On the other side, Panama’s in their first World Cup EVER. They’re lacking star power but this CONCACAF blue-collar team has given the USA, Mexico, and COMNEBOL opponents fits at times the last decade. They’ll park the bus and make it an ugly affair but the dam will break eventually. 2-0 Belgium
Tunisia vs England (Monday in Volgograd)
Steen: Another mismatch on paper, Tunisia is a solid CAF side but England has an all EPL side made up of players who in some cases play on the same team year around. England is known for choking in games like this but surely Harry Kane and Dele Alli of Tottenham combine to ensure they come away with 3 crucial points. England 3-1
Lukas: Once again, England is back in the World Cup, trying to win this coveted trophy for the first time since 1966. Their journey to Moscow begins with a pivotal matchup against Tunisia. Tunisia will be playing without their star player Youssef Msakni, who suffered a knee injury in April. Given the lack of offence for Tunisia, expect Harry Kane and company for England to exploit the midfield and control possession throughout the match to get off to a comfortable start in this World Cup. 1-0 England
Matt: Alright my British friends, how will the Three Lions manage to screw up this World Cup? Too soon? Tunisia’s got a handful of players with decent experience internationally, but most of them are role players for middle-tier European teams. That said, their backline isn’t a great outfit. On paper, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy should have a field day with this game. I still think England will find a way to screw up in the group stage, but it won’t be till later. 3-0 England (with at least one Vardy Party)
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