Following yesterday’s World Cup matches of three boring consecutive 1-0 wins, with vuvuzela noise dominating the atmosphere, this World Cup in Russia is very much in danger of becoming the worst World Cup since South Africa in 2010, unless they ban the vuvuzela, all together from the stadiums, post haste!
Anyway, today’s matches sees Denmark v Australia, France v Peru in Group C, and lastly Argentina v Croatia in Group D, which should all together, hopefully be a more entertaining sum of events compared to yesterday’s boring football.
Denmark come off the back of a tiny marginal 1-0 victory over Peru, with Poulsen grabbing the winner in the last match, in the 59th minute. Whilst, Australia lost a hard-fought battle against France, with two penalty kicks in the game, resulting in a 2-1 loss for the Socceroos against Le Bleu’s.
Will Pione Sisto cause problems for Australia today? Credit: talkSPORT
William Kvist is out for the match after being stretchered off in the last match, with star Chelsea centre back Andreas Christensen also a doubt for this match, which is a huge blow for the Danes, if he doesn’t play. For Australia, Tomi Juric looks set come into attack, but Australia will look to play defensively again in this match, but will have an opportunity to attack more than they did against France.
Can captain Mile Jedinak inspire Australia to a rare victory today? Credit: GOAL.com
Match Prediction: Denmark v Australia 2-1 or Result Denmark Both Teams to Score: Yes
France take on Peru in the day’s second match, with France looking to secure qualification with another three points, in turn knocking Peru out of the tournament. Therefore, star player Paolo Guerrero will likely start in attack for Peru, with Jefferson Farfan suspected to be sacrificed, but experts say Farfan will move out wide, which is the logical choice, relegating Edisson Flores to the bench.
Jefferson Farfan will be key if Peru are to achieve a goal, supporting Guerrero. Credit: SportzWiki
For France, Djibril Cisse will likely start after missing the last match through injury, with Benjamin Mendy also eager to occupy the other full back role. Paul Pogba will retain is place in midfield, even after his goal against Australia somehow being marked as an own goal. Olivier Giroud could star in attack with Antoine Griezmann taking on more of a wide role in this match, but Nabi Fekir is also in contention, as is Blaise Matuidi in midfield.
How was Paul Pogba’s goal deemed an own goal? Credit: SkyNews
Match Prediction: France v Peru 2-1 or Over 2.5 goals
In the day’s evening match it’s Argentina v Croatia, in the pick of the action, with Argentina looking to win after a disappointing draw against Iceland, whilst Croatia beat Nigeria comfortably 2-0 in the last match. Argentina need a win, but this will be a tough contest, with us saying that Croatia are even a better side than Argentina, based off of form and teammate familiarity. Argentina will look to make changes after failing to beat Iceland, with Angel Di Maria, Luca Biglia and Marcos Rojo likely to drop to the bench, and Cristian Pavon, Enzo Perez and Marcos Acuna likely to come in.
Lionel Messi’s penalty miss against Iceland was vitally important in the group standings, for other nations chances to qualify. Credit: Goal.com
For Croatia, they sent Nikola Kalinic home after refusing to come on as a substitute against Nigeria, leaving them thin in attack for the tournament. Marcelo Brozovic of Inter Milan may start this match, after starting in the bench in the last game, whilst Mario Madzukic will continue leading the line for the Croats.
Croatia are expected to go through top of their group. Credit: Zimbio
We predict that the lacklustre Argentina will lose this match, leaving them with a crunch final match against Nigeria and hoping on other results to send them through second in the group, when they beat Nigeria.
Match Prediction: Argentina v Croatia 1-2 or Over 2.5 Goals.
Story by The Narrator
Featured Photo Credit: Goal.com